I - Infowatch 16-30 Jun 2023

INFOWATCH
(Current Awareness Service)
इनफोवॉच
(सामियक अिभगम् सेवा)
Vol. 6(12), 16-30 June 2023
News items/Recent Developments in Military Science & Technology

(From Jane’s Magazine)
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Compiled by
Defence Science Library (DSL)
Defence Scintific Information & Documentation Centre
Delhi - 110 054 Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC)
Defence Research & Development Organisation
Tele: 011-23902403; Fax: 23819151
Ministry of Defence
E-mail: director@desidoc.drdo.in, director@desidoc.deldom
Metcalfe House, Delhi - 110 054
INFOWATCH: Vol. 6, Issue 12, 16-30 June 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SNo. Article Title Page

No.
Aeronautical Systems
1 Update: Luftwaffe selects Saab to provide Eurofighter EK electronic attack 1
payload
2 Paris Air Show 2023: Airbus pitches ‘multimission' credentials of Ares light 3
helos for international market
3 Hanwha contracted to improve South Korean C-130s 4
4 Paris Air Show 2023: New MALE UAV prototype unveiled 6
5 US, India agree on F414 engine co-production 7
6 India confirms AoN to acquire 31 MQ-9Bs 9
7 RoC Army modifies new reconnaissance UAVs for combat 11
8 Paris Air Show 2023: Turkish Aerospace debuts Anka III UCAV 13
9 Upgraded JASDF E-767s to have EW, enhanced capabilities 14
10 Paris Air Show 2023: AVIC unveils Wing Loong-X UCAV 16
11 China expands fleet of anti-submarine Z-20F helicopters 18
12 Canada approved for Poseidon MMA 19
Armaments & Combat Engineering Systems

13 Watt power: EDA trials novel soldier-sized fuel cells 20
14 Mahindra set to deliver light vehicles to Indian Army 23
15 South Korea plans local transmission for fourth batch of K2 MBTs 24
16 South Korea orders second mass production of command post vehicles 26
17 Hanwha plans to participate in India's FICV, light tank programmes 27
18 Japan to procure Hawkei, Eagle light vehicles for trials 29
19 Hanwha begins production of Huntsman vehicles for Australian Army 31
20 South Korea approves performance upgrades for K9 howitzers 32
21 South Korea orders locally produced laser designators 34
22 Norway approved for further Small Diameter Bombs for F-35 35
23 US approves 30 mm ammunition sale to Taiwan 36
Electronics & Communication Systems

24 Paris Air Show 2023: Elbit Systems unveils new airborne ECM 38
25 USAF eyes satcom terminal integration on Reaper UAS 39
26 BAE Systems unveils new M-Code-enabled A-PNT capability 41
27 Terma to equip Skjold-class corvettes with Scanter 6000 radars 42
28 Paris Air Show 2023: Thales, PT Len partner on Indonesian air surveillance 44
radars
29 Paris Air Show 2023: German Air Force to receive new air-defence radar 46
30 Paris Air Show 2023: Hanwha Systems, Leonardo partner to develop AESA 47
radars
Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Page i

31 DARPA's Project Otter explores VLEO capabilities 48

32 China's Cuban spy base: Imagery shows SIGINT facility near Bejucal 51
33 Combat connectivity: US Army outlines new challenges, capabilities for 56
tactical network
34 US Navy approves full-rate production of new Inertial Sensor Module 60
35 British Army to receive new C-UAS capability 63
36 EU seeks to boost airborne electronic attack with REACT II programme 64
37 IAI announces new SAR reconnaissance pod for fighters 65
38 Modern Day Marine 2023: Industry pitches for new C-UAS tech programme 66
39 Counter-hypersonics: Pentagon invests in sensors but interceptors are years 68
away
Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Systems

40 Smart forces: Japan and South Korea drive advances in AI 73
41 Paris Air Show 2023: MBDA Orchestrike to take network-enabled weapons 81
‘to next level'
42 Paris Air Show 2023: Rafael unveils new AI decision support suite 82
43 BSI launches ARMOR for MACE 84
Missiles & Strategic Systems

44 Germany to procure Arrow, IRIS-T air-defence systems 86
45 BEL receives order for Akash Prime weapons 87
46 South Korea completes environmental assessment of THAAD base 89
47 Paris Air Show 2023: Rafael launches new air-to-air missile 90
48 Raytheon conducts flight test of short-range air-defence system 91
49 Modern Day Marine 2023: Iron Dome-based capability to be delivered in 2026 92
Naval Systems & Materials

50 First Type 31 integrated combat system readies for FAT in Q3 94
51 Taiwan commissions first locally built amphibious assault ship 96
52 Singapore's Type 218SG submarine begins journey home 97
53 Turkey's first Istanbul-class frigate starts sea trials 98
54 Singapore validates anti-air capabilities of littoral mission vessel 100
55 Damen and Thales awarded contracts for new Dutch and Belgian ASW frigates 101
General
56 Artillery duel: Ukraine and Russia deploy broad array of guns and rockets 104
57 India signs contract to procure radio relay containers 109
58 Guarding the skies: Ukrainian and Russian SHORAD face off air threats 110
59 Going green: Militaries target sustainable logistics 113
60 India, US unveil effort to boost defence technology ties 119
61 Mach 5: US prepares to field hypersonics as operational and technical 121
challenges endure
Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Page ii
62 France test-fires first hypersonic demonstrator 132

63 India identifies prioritised next-generation technologies 133
64 NIAG study group explores future SEAD capability options 135
Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Page iii

Aeronautical Systems
1. Update: Luftwaffe selects Saab to provide

Eurofighter EK electronic attack payload
Date Posted: 19-Jun-2023
Author: Gareth Jennings, London
Publication: Jane's Defence Weekly
The Luftwaffe has selected the Saab Arexis electronic warfare (EW) suite for its Eurofighter
Elektronischer Kampf (EK) requirement, the Swedish company confirmed on 16 June.
A mock-up of the Eurofighter EK, featuring a generic escort jammer pod, was showcased at the ILA Berlin Air Show in
2022. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
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Saab and its German partner for the project, Helsing, confirmed a Der Spiegel report from 13 June
that said the selection will see the two companies provide the suite for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter
EK electronic attack (EA) escort jammer aircraft by 2030. Integration will be done by Airbus as the
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Eurofighter in Germany.
News of the selection came six-and-a-half months after the Luftwaffe told Janes it had delayed its
decision that was due by the end of 2022, saying in early January that an announcement would not
be made until July “at the earliest”.
Saab first told Janes and other defence media in August 2022 that it planned to pitch its Arexis for
the Eurofighter EK requirement, with EW and Arexis sales director Mikael Corp describing the
suite as “the perfect fit”. The Swedish company is the incumbent provider for the EW system for
the Luftwaffe's Panavia Tornado Electronic Combat Role (ECR) that is to be replaced by the
Eurofighter EK.
As outlined at the time by Corp, Arexis provides full hemispherical coverage to support the ingress,
strike, and egress of a package of strike aircraft, utilising a very-high-frequency (VHF)/ultra-high
frequency (UHF) surveillance and acquisition radar in the L and S bands that incorporates gallium
nitride (GaN) active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. It is available in two
variations. The first is a fully integrated solution (as fitted to the latest Saab Gripen E/F) that
comprises a very-low-band antenna, an EW central unit, a quadrant receiver and transmitter on
each wingtip, a receiver and power supply unit on each wingtip, and a forward and aft transmitter
on the vertical stabiliser. It can also be carried as a podded solution via the underwing-mounted
Electronic Attack Jammer Pod (EAJP), or as a combination of the two configurations for additional
jamming power.
Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 1

Corp told Janes that Saab is “agnostic” as to whether to offer the fully integrated solution or the
EAJP pod and that any such decision will be based on the German requirement when they are
released. The Bundeswehr had not said which solution it prefers at the time of publication. As first
reported by Janes at the ILA Berlin Air Show in June 2022, the previously stated timeline of 2025
for fielding the Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum (luWES) mission had
slipped to 2028 and has now been pushed back again to 2030 .
In securing the EW payload requirement, Saab has beaten off competition from Elettronica, which
offered its podded Edge solution; Hensoldt, which would have integrated its Kalaetron Attack
technology into Rafael's Sky Shield pod; and Elektroniksystem- und Logistik (ESG), which was
teaming with Elbit Systems' subsidiary company Elisra to offer its Tactical Electronic Attack
System ESG/Elisra (TEASE²) pod. It was not disclosed if Israel Aerospace Industries and Thales
competed with their Scorpius-SP and Carbone pods, respectively.
According to Airbus, the Eurofighter EK will be developed in stages to run in parallel with the
performance enhancement (PE) packages of the Eurofighter consortium partner countries of
Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The first step will see the Eurofighter fitted with an emitter location system (ELS) and integrated
with the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) as part of the P4E upgrade package
by 2028. Germany will retrofit this capability into its Tranche 2, Tranche 3, and Tranche 4 (Project
Quadriga) jets.
This will be followed by an electronic jammer pod/integrated capability on newbuild Tranche 5 jets
as part of P5E for 2030 and P6E for 2032 (both of these upgrade packages will also incorporate
elements of the wider Long-Term Evolution mid-life upgrade project now being explored).
The Eurofighter EK will fulfil the Luftwaffe's airborne electronic attack (AEA) commitment to
NATO, known as Project luWES. The Luftwaffe earlier told Janes that the luWES capability
would require about 15 such aircraft, although it remains unclear if these will be part of the
Tornado replacement requirement for 85 aircraft, or in addition to it. In terms of probable numbers,
Airbus has said that 15 aircraft will almost certainly not be the final strength of the Luftwaffe
Eurofighter EK fleet, with the final tally likely to be higher.
This story, first published on 14 June 2023, has been updated with new information.
Comment
As the incumbent provider of the EW system for the Tornado ECR that will be replaced by the
Eurofighter EK, Saab with its Arexis suite is not a surprising choice as the luWES EW payload
provider. Even so, as Germany's premier electronics house, Hensoldt in particular would have had
high hopes of securing the requirement with its Kalaetron Attack jammer.
The Bundeswehr has provided no indication as to how Arexis came to be preferred over the other
options in general and Kalaetron Attack in particular. However, with the timeline for fielding the
Eurofighter EK progressively slipping, it is likely that the relatively low risk that comes with the
Arexis already being fielded on the Gripen E featured high in the Luftwaffe's reasoning.

2. Paris Air Show 2023: Airbus pitches ‘multimission'

credentials of Ares light helos for international
market
Author: Gareth Jennings, Paris
Airbus in the US is pitching the multimission capabilities of its AH-125 and MH-125 Ares light
attack and utility helicopters as the chief differentiator to competing solutions on the international
market.
The AH-125 and MH-125 Ares helicopters are being offered to the international market as two distinct platforms that
share a common heritage with the M125M. (Airbus)
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Speaking to Janes and other defence media at the Paris Air Show 2023, Scott Tumpak, vice-
president of military line of business at Airbus US Space & Defense, said that while other single-
engined helicopters in the same class already exist and are in service around the world, the ability
of the AH-125 and MH-125 to be quickly reconfigured between missions is what will set them
apart in the global market.
“If we look at the military market worldwide, there are a lot of single-engined helicopters. We see a
gap that is not being served right now, and that is in a multimission capability that could cover not
just light attack, but also multiple missions such as special operations, firefighting, search and
rescue, etc. So, we think that the AH-125 and MH-125 are unique in addressing this market niche
and providing an option to militaries worldwide to cost efficiently address multiple missions with a
single platform,” Tumpak said on 15 June.
“The competitor single engine aircraft on the market are typically static configurations – it's either
light attack or special operations, etc but there's limited ability, or no ability in some cases, to
reconfigure between the two missions. Our design point has been rapid reconfiguration, so it's not
just that we offer multimission capabilities, but we offer the ability to rapidly reconfigure. That is a
capability multiplier for any military, where in the same day you could perform a light attack and a
special operations mission with the same aircraft. I don't believe any of our competitors have that
ability.”
First revealed by Airbus US in April the AH-125 and MH-125 are to be ‘American made' versions
of the H125M that is built in France, to be made available to international customers either via the

US government's Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) or Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procurement
programmes. The AH-125 is to be a light attack version with weapons to be integrated by MAG
Aerospace, while the MH-125 is more of a utility platform.
“These are two different products, we see two niches on the single-engine market. [The AH-125] is
high-end, [with] sophisticated guided weapons, helmet-mounted sight, [and] sophisticated [electro-
optic/infrared] EO/IR [sensors] to address higher-end missions right around the world and for
militaries that are interested in that requirement. The second market niche we see, which has been
untapped, and you know, by Airbus, and why we have developed [the MH-125] for customers that
are interested in a more affordable option. They are both based on the same H125 aircraft, [but] it's
two different levels of capability of mission equipment being offered for the two variants,” Tumpak
said. Airbus told Janes in April that the MH-125, which is now available, can be delivered in as
little as nine months, with the AH-125 being available to customers from 2025.
Tumpak declined to be drawn on specific opportunities for either the AH-125 or MH-125, but said
that the international market is significant. “We do see a significant market based on feedback from
users around the world, and if we look at historical sales for light attack capabilities, you'll also see
a pretty significant market. We feel the multimission aspect of this aircraft is going to probably
drive additional market demand,” he said.
In terms of the international market for this class of rotorcraft, the AH-125/MH-125 will be
competing against helicopters such as the Bell 407, Boeing AH-6i, and MD Helicopters MD530.
Comment
Speaking at the IQPC International Military Helicopter conference in 2022, Brigadier General
Robert Barrie, programme executive officer for Aviation, said that building partner country
capacity is one of the three core missions for US Army Aviation, with the other two being
maintaining the readiness of the army's own fleet and building the Future Vertical Lift ecosystem.
As said by Brig Gen Barrie, the US government has awarded USD56 billion in FMS to partner
countries, comprising more than 400 aircraft in 12 different types across 18 countries. It is for a
slice of this market that the AH-125 and MH-125 will be competing.
3. Hanwha contracted to improve South Korean C-130s

Author: Akhil Kadidal, Bangalore
Hanwha Systems has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the South Korean
government to improve the Republic of Korea's (RoK's) Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules
aircraft.
In a filing on the South Korean financial market, Hanwha said the contract was awarded by South
Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on 19 June. According to the filing,

the contract period became active on 19 June and is expected to be completed by 30 November
2027.
According to Hanwha, the contract has a value of KRW73.659 billion (USD57.42 million). A
Hanwha Systems spokesperson said that the project aims to enhance the C-130H transport aircraft
by installing various new systems and components.
“These include directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM), a missile approach warning system
(MAWS), and a survival management computer (EWC). These additions will provide the C-130H
with its own protective equipment,” the spokesperson said.
South Korea's Lockheed Martin C-130 fleet is a key component of its special forces' operations and deep infiltration
and penetration. In this photo, a RoKAF C-130 drops five-gallon drums of water during a military exercise in South
Korea in 2017. (US Department of Defense)
2047249
“Hanwha Systems plans to integrate the MAWS, which is provided by overseas partners, with the
domestically developed DIRCM and EWC,” the company spokesperson said.
Hanwha started the operational testing of the DIRCM in 2018, according to Janesdata. In the same
year, DAPA said that the locally developed DIRCM was designed to counter the non-imaging IR
seekers used by many older missiles still in service. DAPA had said that the system would be
further developed to counter more modern missiles using an imaging IR (IIR) seeker. Janes
previously reported that the development of the system was completed in September 2018. The
system was originally intended for integration with helicopters.
However, its potential employment on C-130s suggests that it has been augmented for a higher-
power laser output. The Hanwha spokesperson told Janes that the improvement project will be
“implemented on a select number of C-130H transport aircraft operated by the air force”.
According to Janes All the World's Aircraft, the RoK Air Force (RoKAF) operates four C-130H-
30s and eight C-130Hs. The RoKAF also operates four newer C-130J-30s, which were acquired in
2014.
This is not the first upgrade of the RoKAF's C-130Hs. Janes understands that a previous upgrade of
aircraft involved equipping C-130Hs with Forward Monitoring Infrared (FLIR) equipment, satellite
communications (satcom) equipment, High Speed Low Level Aerial Delivery System (HSLLADS),
and multifunction radar (MMR).

Comment
The RoKAF's C-130H fleet is a critical component of South Korea's capabilities for deep
infiltration. The aircraft have previously operated with South Korea's 2nd Quick Response Division
on rapid deployment and paradrop training operations, according to information published by the
RoK military.
The potential inclusion of self-protection systems will increase the survivability of the C-130H fleet
in hostile airspace. The upgrades appear to be part of South Korea's plan to equip the C-130Hs for
deep strikes. In 2016 the former Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA), General
Jang Jun-kyu, said that the C-130s would help the RoK military strike command facilities and
leadership targets within North Korea in the event of a crisis.
The upgrades also represent South Korea's interest in retaining the C-130H fleet because of likely
higher acquisition costs of C-130Js. According to Janes Markets Forecast, the C-130J-30 has a unit
price cost of USD91.28 million.
4. Paris Air Show 2023: New MALE UAV prototype

unveiled
Author: Olivia Savage, Paris Sam Wise, Paris
Turgis & Gaillard has unveiled a new medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) called Aarok at the Paris Air Show 2023, held from 19 to 25 June.
The Aarok UAV prototype displayed at the Paris Air Show 2023, demonstrated with various French payloads and
capabilities. (Janes/Olivia Savage)
2045187
The company, based in France, developed the MALE UAV prototype as a more affordable
alternative to other similar platforms such as the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, which meets both
French and its allied forces' requirements, Laetitia Hertz, media and communications representative
for Turgis & Gaillard, told Janes.
Aarok is designed as a multirole platform suited for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
missions, as well as for high-intensity strike roles and as a communications node on the battlefield.

With a maximum take-off weight of nearly 5,500 kg and an ability to carry up to 3,000 kg (1,500
kg of armaments), the system can be fitted with a variety of payloads such as Safran's Euroflir 610
electro-optical sensor and its precision-guided munition, Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, as well as
various other multirole radars, electronic warfare sensors, and anti-tank missiles.
Aarok displayed with Safran's Armement Air-Sol Modulaire precision-guided munition. (Janes/Olivia Savage)
2045188
A first flight is planned by the autumn (September to December) of 2023, and the UAV will be
operational by 2025, although this depends on the customer, Hertz said.
Aarok is a self-funded UAV that is highly modular and is intended to showcase French capabilities,
Hertz said. She added that the platform was designed to complement rather than compete against
the Eurodrone.
The UAV has a wingspan of 22 m, a cruising speed of 287 mph, and a cruising altitude of 30,000
ft, Hertz said.
Comment
Aarok is intended to be an indigenously developed MALE UAV that the company claims meets
French requirements. However, despite reassurances from Hertz, Aarok appears to be in direct
competition with the Eurodrone twin-turboprop MALE UAV being developed by Airbus, Dassault
Aviation, and Leonardo for German, French, Italian, and Spanish forces.
5. US, India agree on F414 engine co-production

The leaders of the United States and India have announced agreements to accelerate defence
industrial co-operation including the potential joint production of General Electric (GE) F414
engines for future combat aircraft.
The agreements were made following discussions between US President Joe Biden and Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington on 22 June.

GE Aerospace is working with the US government to secure the necessary export authorisation for the joint production
of its F414-INS6 engine with India. (GE Aerospace)
2047250
A keystone of the accords is a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between GE Aerospace

and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force
(IAF). The US also confirmed New Delhi's plans to procure General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
GE Aerospace said the MOU is a “major milestone” of Modi's visit to the US and a “key element in
strengthening defence co-operation” between the two countries. According to the company, the
agreement includes the “potential joint production” of GE Aerospace's 98 kN F414-INS6 engines
in India.
“GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export
authorisation for this,” the company said. It added that the agreement will “advance” its earlier
commitment to build 99 F414-INS6 engines for the IAF for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas
Mk 2 programme.
GE Aerospace added that the MOU will also support the selection of the F414-INS6 for the
prototype development, testing, and certification of India's fifth-generation Advanced Medium
Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. “GE will continue to collaborate with the Indian government on
the AMCA Mk 2 engine programme,” the company said.
India seeks co-development of a new engine with a greater thrust-to-weight ratio for the AMCA
Mk 2.
India also seeks to acquire GA-ASI MQ-9B SeaGuardians. However, it is unclear when the order
for these aircraft will be placed. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Janes that it cannot
comment on this “planned” acquisition.
In their statement, Biden and Modi said the MQ-9Bs will be “assembled in India [and] will enhance
the ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] capabilities of India's armed forces across
domains”. GA-ASI will also establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India.
This is “to support India's long-term goals to boost indigenous defence capabilities”, the statement
said.
The two leaders also expressed support for the MRO of forward-deployed US Navy assets in India.
Under the Master Ship Repair Agreements with Indian shipyards, the US Navy will be able “to
expedite the contracting process for mid-voyage and emergent repair”, the statement said.

The Indian MoD and the US Department of Defense (DoD) also announced they will commence
negotiations to conclude a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and initiate discussions about a
Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement. The SOSA will allow the DoD or the MoD to
request priority deliveries on DoD contracts and orders with US firms. The RDP promotes
equipment standardisation and interoperability.
The new announcements support the earlier launch of the Roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial
Co-operation and the US-India Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). The former,
announced in early June, is intended to support resilient defence-industrial supply chains, while
INDUS-X, announced 21 June, promotes increased defence technology co-operation.
Comment
The 22 June announcements will augment the implementation of the Industrial Security Annex
(ISA), which New Delhi and Washington signed in December 2019. The ISA is to enable the
transfer of technologies and information between the two countries.
Beyond strengthening the ISA, the new agreements arealso intended to support New Delhi's
requirements for Make in India. India is seeking transfers of sensitive and advanced technologies,
especially engine technologies to support the future development of domestic defence projects.
Biden and Modi said on 22 June they are committed to addressing any regulatory barriers to
defence industrial co-operation.
6. India confirms AoN to acquire 31 MQ-9Bs

The Indian government has accorded an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance
(HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 25 June that the country's Defence Acquisition Council
(DAC) had accorded the AoN on 15 June to acquire 31 MQ-9Bs for the three services of the
military. According to the statement, 16 of the aircraft to be acquired are SkyGuardians and 15 are
SeaGuardians. The announcement was made via state-owned information network Press
Information Bureau (PIB).
Janes understands that the acquisition will provide the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force with
eight SkyGuardians each. The Indian Navy is to operate all 15 SeaGuardians.
The aircraft are to be acquired through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, the MoD said.
The AoN also includes associated equipment acquisitions. According to the MoD, the US
government has cited an estimated price of USD3.072 billion for the aircraft and equipment.

“However, price will be negotiated once policy approval of the US government is received,” the
MoD said. “The Ministry of Defence will compare the acquisition cost with the best price offered
by GA-ASI to other countries. The procurement is in progress and would be completed as per the
laid down procedure.”
India is planning to equip its navy with 15 MQ-9B SeaGuardians while its army and air force could receive eight
SkyGuardians each. (General Atomics)
1773424
As part of the FMS, a letter of request (LoR) will be sent to the US government, the MoD said. The
letter will state the requirements of the navy, air force, and army; details of equipment; and terms of
procurement.
“Based on the LoR, the US government and [the] MoD will finalise the letter of offer and
acceptance (LOA) where details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be negotiated
and finalised in accordance with the FMS programme and the price and terms offered by the US
government and GA-ASI to other countries,” the MoD said.
According to Janes Markets Forecast, the unit cost of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is USD20.03
million while the SeaGuardian has a unit cost of USD17.26 million. These costs do not cover
associated equipment, including subsystems, spares, and support, which comprise a standard FMS
price.
Based on information published by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the
price of the RPAS varies based on associated systems purchases and weaponry. The US' quoted
price for India translates to a unit price of USD99.9 million per aircraft (including associated
equipment, training, and support).
A 16 June 2023 announcement of an FMS of four MQ-9A Block 5 aircraft to the Netherlands was
priced higher at USD611 million. However, this includes specialised associated equipment and
support. This associated equipment comprises three unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) MQ-9 Mobile
Ground Control Systems (MGCS) and specialist electronic intelligence (ELINT) equipment such as
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM), AN/DAS-4 multispectral targeting
systems, Lynx AN/APY-8 synthetic aperture radars (SARs), Selex Seaspray SARs, and SeaVue
maritime radars.
According to Janesdata, the SeaGuardian and the SkyGuardian utilise the same airframe and have
the same service life. The two RPAS carry the same communication systems and sensors.
However, the SeaGuardian is designed to support open-ocean and littoral surface surveillance. For
this, it includes a long-range multimode 360° maritime radar mounted beneath the fuselage and an
automatic identification system.

Analysis
The Indian Navy is using two Company-Owned, Company-Operated MQ-9Bs on lease since 2020.
These activities have been prompted by New Delhi's concerns about Chinese naval and shipping
activities in the Indian Ocean.
Janes has earlier reported that delays associated with the acquisitions were because of questions by
New Delhi about acquisition and maintenance costs and transfers of technology. The DAC's
issuance of an AoN suggests that Washington has clarified these matters to the Indian government.
The acquisition of additional SeaGuardians will allow the Indian Navy to improve its surveillance
and reconnaissance activities in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the region of the Maldives, and in
the Bay of Bengal. The SkyGuardian acquisitions for the army and the air force could be
prohibitively expensive for the capabilities delivered. The RPAS is vulnerable to the land-based air-
defence systems of adversarial countries around India in the event of a high-intensity future
conflict.
India would also have to make further investments to acquire missiles and laser-guided bombs for
the MQ-9B fleet. In 2015 a planned FMS to weaponise Italy's fleet of five MQ-9s with 156 AGM-
114R2 Hellfire II missiles and 30 GBU-12 laser-guided bombs was priced at USD129 million,
according to information published by the DSCA.
7. RoC Army modifies new reconnaissance UAVs for

combat
Author: Oishee Majumdar, Bangalore
The Republic of China Army (RoCA) is upgrading some of the Capricorn rotary-wing unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) delivered to the RoC Armed Forces (or Taiwan armed forces) by the state-
owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).
The Capricorn UAVs, developed to primarily conduct reconnaissance operations, are being
equipped with “ammunition drums” or “laser targeting system” to support the RoCA during
combat, the state-run Central News Agency (CNA) said on 25 June.
The laser targeting system installed on a few Capricorns can accurately lock onto targets and
transmit the co-ordinates back to a military base, CNA said. The ammunition drums installed on
some of the other Capricorns will enable these UAVs to “respond to unexpected attacks” during
reconnaissance missions, the agency added.
According to CNA, NCSIST has delivered 50 Capricorn UAVs – 14 in 2022 and 36 in 2023 – to
the Taiwan armed forces under a contract worth TWD780 million (USD25.14 million).
The Capricorn is 1.8 m long, 0.4 m wide, weighs 25 kg, and has a height of 0.6 m, CNA said. The
UAV has a speed of 64 km/h, an endurance of 1 hour, and can reach a maximum altitude of 1,500
m, CNA added.

CNA has previously reported that the Capricorn can withstand winds of up to 50 km/h. The UAV is
able to transmit imagery in real time, and is equipped with dual optical lens (visible light/thermal
imaging) to enhance its reconnaissance capabilities both during day and at night.
The Capricorn also has three built-in navigation modules to enable the UAV to continue operations
in case any one of the navigation systems is damaged or compromised during conflict, CNA said.
In January the Capricorn was deployed to gather intelligence during a combat exercise held by the
RoCA's 234th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, CNA reported.
Taiwan is also trying to train more soldiers to operate UAVs such as the Capricorn. President Tsai
Ing-wen, who attended the army drill in January, said that military conscripts will have a chance to
operate UAVs as part of weapons training in future.
According to CNA, the RoCA has said that soldiers require only two weeks of training to become
UAV pilots, and that “refresher courses” will be organised every two years for these personnel.
Janes was unable to contact the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) for more
information.
Comment
Taiwan has bolstered efforts to develop and procure UAVs to improve military preparedness amid
growing concerns about a possible attack by China.
The Capricorn was unveiled along with two other UAVs during a drone exhibition organised by
NCSIST in November 2022. The other two UAVs included the latest variant of the truck-launched
Chien Hsiang (‘Rising Sword') loitering munition and an advanced variant of the Teng Yun (‘Cloud
Rider') medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) reconnaissance UAV.
Taiwan is also increasing co-operation with the United States to secure UAVs and associated
technologies. In May the US Department of Defense (DoD) announced that General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) will provide four MQ-9B SeaGuardian MALE UAVs to
Taiwan under a contract not exceeding USD217.6 million.

8. Paris Air Show 2023: Turkish Aerospace debuts

Anka III UCAV
Author: Sam Wise, London;Akshara Parakala, Bangalore
Turkish Aerospace (TA) has revealed details of its new Anka III medium-altitude long-endurance
(MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at the Paris Air Show 2023, held from 19 to 25
June. The company displayed a 1:7 scale model of the UCAV.
A 1:7 scale model of Turkish Aerospace Anka III UCAV at the Paris Air Show 2023. (Janes/Sam Wise)
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The Anka III, which underwent taxi tests on 26 April 2023 and is expected to conduct its maiden
flight in July, is a tailless flying-wing configuration aircraft with low-observability design features
including a frontal air intake obscured from below and a sawtooth engine exhaust.
The model on display featured four wing-mounted pylons carrying a TA Süper Şimşek aerial
target, a Roketsan Stand-Off Missile (SOM-J) air-to-surface munition, and Roketsan MAM-T mini
smart munition. Unlike the Anka and Aksungur UAVs, the Anka III also features an internal
weapons bay. It is stated as being capable of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) and swarm
deployment as well as carrying an air-to-air radar and munitions. It is compatible with the ground
control systems of the Anka and the Aksungur and features the same avionics architecture.
It is equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors. Other roles for the UCAV include
electronic warfare (signals and communications intelligence), suppression/destruction of enemy air
defences, and acting as a communications relay.
The Anka III has a maximum take-off weight of 6,500 kg (14,330 lb) and an absolute ceiling of
12,192 m (40,000 ft). At 9,144 m (30,000 ft) it has a 10-hour endurance, a maximum operating
speed of 467 kt, and a cruise speed of 280 kt.
According to Janes analysis, the overall width of the UCAV is around 12.5 m and the length is 9.5
m.

Comment
The Anka III's configuration is comparable with UAVs such as the Dassault nEUROn technology
demonstrator and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) CS-550T, with Janes data
placing the Anka III's performance as slightly above that of the nEUROn. The UAV demonstrates
TA's advancing technological capabilities, with low-observability characteristics likely developed
alongside the company's Kaan fighter. The pairing with the new TA Süper Şimşek was also
highlighted by the company on both products, suggesting that it views the two UAVs as a key
capability.
MUM-T is a capability increasingly being showcased on new platforms as battlefield

interconnectivity plays an increasing role in current conflicts.
9. Upgraded JASDF E-767s to have EW, enhanced

capabilities
An upgrade of Japan's Boeing E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft will
give the fleet electronic warfare (EW) capabilities and the ability to track a large number of
airborne and sea-level contacts.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) operates four E-767s, which were first acquired in
1998. Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) told Janes that the
enhancements include the Mission Computer Upgrade (MCU) and “necessary” aircraft
modifications.
The modifications “improve the air warning and control capabilities of the current E-767”, an
ATLA spokesperson said. “In addition, as part of this project, electronic warfare support measures
equipment and related devices are also installed.”
The MCU for the JASDF's E-767 fleet will improve its battlespace command and control and decrease target
identification time. In this photo, one of the JASDF E-767s which is scheduled for the upgrade participates in Exercise
‘RED FLAG-Alaska 23-2' on 9 June 2023. (US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
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According to the spokesperson, the MCU updates the E-767's data processing capabilities. This
“improved tracking capability will enable appropriate responses even in situations where a large
number of aircraft and naval vessels, etc are expected to be intermingled”, the spokesperson said.

“The installation of electronic warfare support measures equipment makes it possible to detect and
identify between various threats,” the spokesperson added. “It also enables upgraded E-767 to
respond to threats proactively and to provide threat information to friendly aircraft, thereby
ensuring superiority in contingency.”
The US Air Force (USAF) Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB), is the
contracting activity for the upgrades, according to the Department of Defense (DoD).
The USAF said on 8 June that the Hanscom AFB team had returned the first upgradedE-767 (Serial
No 74-3503) to Japan following completion of the upgrade. The USAF added that the team also
delivered supporting ground systems to several Japanese airbases for mission planning and training.
According to Colonel Riley Pyles, deputy director of the Digital Directorate, the upgrades were
prompted by “frequent incursions by Chinese and Russian aircraft and unmanned systems into
Japanese airspace”.
The USAF added that the Hanscom AFB team is currently performing the MCU on the three
remaining JASDF E-767 aircraft. ATLA said the timeline for the conclusion of upgrades on these
aircraft is being worked out. “The specific timeline for E-767 upgrade is still under co-ordination
with the US government, so it is difficult to say anything definite at this stage,” the spokesperson
said.
The MCU is similar to the USAF E-3 AWACS upgrade, the USAF said in a statement. “It will
provide the JASDF with improved battlespace command and control, real-time information sharing
among the services, decreased target identification time, and increased lethality,” said John Fisher,
acting programme manager of the MCU programme in the Digital Directorate's Japan AWACS
branch.
The USAF said in June 2023 that the total value of the upgrade is USD870 million.
Comment
Installation of the MCU on the first E-767 began in August 2019. Successful flight testing and
demonstrations were completed in 2022, according to the USAF.
This is not the first upgrade to the JASDF's AWACS programme. In 2006 the US Department of
State approved the Radar System Improvement Program (RISP) to upgrade the fleet's AN/APY-2
radars. This upgrade was through a USAF contract with Boeing in 2006.
In October 2014 Boeing received another contract to upgrade the aircraft with updated mission
computers, electronic support measures, a traffic alert and collision avoidance system, AN/APX-
119 interrogator friend-or-foe (IFF) transponder, next-generation UPX-40 IFF, automatic
identification system, and datalink upgrades, according to Janesdata.
In June 2020 Boeing was awarded a new contract to install the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-
Broadcast Out (ADS-B Out) capability – a software and hardware update to the Raytheon APX-119
transponder that includes the addition of a Global Positioning System (GPS) card – to all four E-
767s.

10. Paris Air Show 2023: AVIC unveils Wing Loong-

X UCAV
Author: Akshara Parakala, Bangalore;Sam Wise, London
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has unveiled a new variant of Wing Loong series
of medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Paris Air
Show 2023, held from 19 to 25 June.
The company presented a 1:10 scale model of the Wing Loong-X (WL-X) unmanned combat aerial
vehicle (UCAV) with four underwing hardpoints under each mid-mounted wing surface ending in
upswept wingtips.
A 1:10 scale model of the AVIC Wing Loong-X (WL-X) displayed at the Paris Air Show 2023. (Janes/Sam Wise)
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The UCAV features a bulged nose for the provision of satcom, radars, a ventral electro-
optic/infrared (EO/IR) turret, a V-tail, two canted ventral fins, and a rear-mounted turboprop engine
driving a five-bladed propeller, among others. No further information on specifications has been
released by the company.
According to Janes analysis, the wingspan of WL-X is about 14.5 m and its length is 26.1 m,
suggesting a longer fuselage and lower aspect ratio wings compared with that of Wing Loong-10A
(WL-10A). The wing features straight wings spanning till mid-section followed by tapering
towards the outboard section. The shortening of the wingspan with straight wings till mid-section is
suitable to carry heavier payloads.
China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) has revealed the variant
WL-10A as an electronic warfare (EW)-capable variant of Wing Loong-10 (Pterodactyl 10),
initially dubbed ‘Cloud Shadow'.
The WL-10A is a characterised high-altitude and high-speed electronic reconnaissance unmanned

aerial system (UAS). The UAS has four UAVs and two ground control stations (GCSs). Each GCS
includes a central control system, a dynamic light scattering device, a global descriptor table
register, and a differential Global Positioning System (GPS).

A scale model of the AVIC Wing Loong-10A (WL-10A) UAV was displayed at IDEX 2023. (Janes/Akshara Parakala)
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Although the WL-10 and the WL-10A have similar features, unlike the WL-10, which has three
hardpoints under each wing, the WL-10A has only one hardpoint under each wing. The WL-10A
can carry a radar warning receiver (RWR, 2–18 GHz) and an electronic intelligence (ELINT)
sensor (2–18 GHz). The range of communication of the UAV is 350 km at 10,000 m altitude. The
UAV can communicate with ground or marine radar and can perform co-ordinated attacks.
The WL-10A has a maximum take-off weight of 3,500 kg, a payload capacity (maximum external
stores) of 400 kg, and a maximum internal fuel tank capacity of 1,420 kg. It has a range of up to
4,000 km and an endurance of up to 9 hours.
The fuselage of the WL-10A has a length of 9.95 m, a height of 3.67 m, and a wingspan of 17.8 m.
Powered by an unrated turbojet engine, it can propel the UAV to an operational altitude of 39,370
ft with a maximum level speed of 286 kt and a cruise speed of 254 kt. It has a 970 m take-off run
and a 1,050 m landing run distance with a chute.
CATIC officials at IDEX told Janes that research is under way to improve the WL-10A's
operational capability in terms of weather and electronic environments, whereas AVIC officials at
the Paris Air Show have declined to comment on any developmental status.
Comment
China is constantly expanding the scope of versatility of the Wing Loong family for various armed
forces requirements, driven domestically as well as internationally. Each derivative is being
designed to operate in complex weather and electromagnetic conditions, while the sensors are being
improved for accuracy and tracking speed for locating targets on the ground and sea surface.
In December 2019 images emerged on Chinese social media showing what appeared to be a signals
intelligence (SIGINT) variant of the Wing Loong II. During May the Wing Loong-2H, in a model
form, was exhibited at the Yangtze River Delta International Emergency Disaster Reduction &
Rescue Expo.
The Wing Loong-2H – designed and developed specifically for deployment in disaster survey,
emergency communications support, and supply delivery roles – was also exhibited at the Paris Air
Show 2023 with two hardpoints under each wing.
With the deployment of multimission-capable MALE UCAVs, China and the other Wing Loong
users can gain operational ability with mature platforms for conducting strike, cargo, and
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

11. China expands fleet of anti-submarine Z-20F

helicopters
Author: Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore
The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has ordered additional Harbin Aircraft Industry Group
(HAIG) Z-20F helicopters, further expanding the country's fleet of anti-submarine warfare (ASW)-
capable rotary-wing aircraft.
The Z-20 helicopter is a multirole medium-lift aircraft that seems to have derived its design from
the Sikorsky S-70C/UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Besides the baseline Z-20 variant that is in
service with the army, China is known to have developed a multirole naval variant known as the Z-
20S (also referred to as the Z-20J) and an ASW variant, the Z-20F.
Images that began circulating on Chinese social media sites from 27 June indicate that state-owned
aerospace company HAIG has produced at least two more Z-20F examples with serial numbers that
have previously not been associated with the aircraft type.
The airframes were photographed in the vicinity of a HAIG hangar, identifiable given the presence
of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) logos on walls. Also seen in these images is
another Z-20S example, also bearing a serial number that appears to be new. This suggests that
China has also ordered additional multirole naval examples of the aircraft type.
The presence of the new airframes suggests that the PLAN has either inducted or is close to
commissioning earlier examples of the Z-20S/F helicopters for operational duties and will receive
at least three more new airframes in the coming months.
The Z-20 is a 10-tonne aircraft that is powered by two WZ-10 1,790 kW turboshaft engines. Utility
and assault variants of the aircraft are in service with several army formations including the 83rd
Group Army's 161st Air Assault Brigade and the 75th Group Army's 121st Helicopter Assault
Brigade.
A main difference between the naval and army variants is that the former has a chin-mounted turret
for electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and stub wing pylons for torpedoes and depth charges. In
addition, the Z-20F helicopter's undercarriage features an opening for a dipping sonar and the
aircraft is able to launch sonobuoys from its port and starboard sides.
Comment
Once the Z-20F/S variants are fully operational, the helicopters will likely be deployed on the Yushen (Type
075)-class amphibious assault ships, among other vessel types, to provide the class with a more credible
ASW capability. The service presently relies on smaller airframes such as the Z-9 for its helicopter-borne
ASW operations, but the aircraft is limited in terms of the anti-submarine sensors and weapons that can be
deployed onboard.
The Yushen class will be the primary vector upon which the PLA invades Taiwan, should hostilities
breakout between the two countries. The PLAN likely has a long-standing requirement to ensure that these
large ships are equipped with their own organic helicopter-borne ASW capabilities to ensure that the assault
force is adequately protected against hostile submarines. The class has six landing spots on its flight deck
and can accommodate up to 30 medium helicopters such as the Z-20.

12. Canada approved for Poseidon MMA

The US government has approved the sale to Canada of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime
multimission aircraft (MMA).
An artist's impression of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon in Royal Canadian Air Force colours and markings. (Boeing)
2014401
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the Department of State
approval and the prospective procurement of 16 aircraft on 27 June. The sale, which also includes
spares, training, and support, would be valued at approximately USD5.9 billion.
“This proposed sale will increase Canadian maritime forces' interoperability with the United States
and other allied forces, as well as their ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest. This will
significantly improve network-centric warfare capability for the US forces operating globally
alongside Canada,” the DSCA said.
The Canadian government is looking to acquire the Poseidon for its Canadian Multi-Mission
Aircraft (CMMA) requirement to replace the ageing Lockheed CP-140 Auroras of the Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The RCAF, which operates all Canadian military aviation, fields 14
P-3 Orion-derived CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that were first received in 1980.
Although the fleet has lately been upgraded with Link 11 and Link 16 datalinks, the service is
seeking a replacement for the 2030 timeframe.
The P-8A Poseidon is flown by the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force,
the Royal Norwegian Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, and the US Navy, and is on order with
the Republic of Korea Navy and the German Navy. The P-8I Neptune variant is flown by the
Indian Navy.
Comment
Derived from the Boeing 737-800 commercial airliner (but with 737-900 wings), the P-8A Poseidon has
been built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, GE Aerospace, Northrop
Grumman, Raytheon, and Spirit AeroSystems.
With the greatest maximum take-off weight of any dedicated MPA currently on the market (85,139 kg), the
P-8A is primarily equipped with the Raytheon AN/APY-10 maritime surveillance radar and L-3 Wescam
MX-20HD digital electro-optic/infrared sensors. It has the capacity to carry 129 sonobuoys and the full
panoply of anti-submarine and anti-surface weaponry in its internal weapons bay as well as on underwing
hardpoints. In the main cabin there are six mission workstations, although there is plenty of room and the
necessary power and cooling for expansion.

Armaments & Combat Engineering
13. Watt power: EDA trials novel soldier-sized fuel

cells
Author: Olivia Savage, London
Publication: Jane's International Defence Review
Key points
• The European Defence Agency has been trialling three different fuel cells to reduce weight
and increase energy efficiency
• The use of fuel cells will also enhance safety
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has been trialling novel soldier energy solutions as part of
the Fuel Cell for Soldier Systems (FUSS) project.
Three different fuel cells – direct methanol, proton exchange, and solid oxide – have been
evaluated in a bid to reduce weight and increase power and energy efficiency for soldier-sized
battery packs, Luigi Fasano, EDA project officer Land Systems Technologies told Janes. For the
next stage, expected to begin imminently, the EDA will select and further develop one of the fuel
cells.
Fuel cells are devices that generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction rather than
combustion. These systems combine hydrogen with oxygen to generate electricity, emitting only
clean by-products – heat and water. The hydrogen usually comes from fossil fuels such as propane,
natural gas, or methanol.
A 120 kW fuel cell module by Siemens. Fuel cells are a cleaner alternative to lithium-ion batteries. (Siemens)
0122849
To Fasano, the advantages of fuel cells are incomparable as they overcome a number of limitations
associated with traditional lithium-ion batteries. Supply chain issues is one such limitation, with the
demands for lithium expected to increase as the world becomes progressively electric. The existing
systems are also prone to catching fire. In contrast, fuel cells are relatively clean, quiet, and
efficient.
FUSS
Beginning in March 2022 the programme aims to reduce the weight of a soldier's battery load by 24
per cent, or at the very least increase the system's power and energy density, Fasano said. Reducing

a soldier's battery load is considered important because recent conflicts revealed that these can
amount to up to 40 per cent of the total weight carried by a soldier. This increases the physical
burden on personnel and decreases mission effectiveness. While at present lithium-ion batteries
have the best performance of any rechargeable battery pack, they are heavy, have low power
capacity, and have a propensity to ignite, he said.
Hungary and Switzerland are leading and funding the programme, and are supported by the EDA.
Participating partners include Armasuisse Science and Technologies. FUSS I and II will receive
approximately EUR1.7 million (USD1.8 million) in funding, Fasano said.
Fuel cells
Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) use liquid methanol as fuel and are in use in the defence
sector. While the solution is highly efficient, it requires a high quantity of rare noble metals and
uses methanol, a toxic and flammable substance. In addition, the fuel cell must operate at very high
temperatures, resulting in slow start-up times and high thermal signatures. Consequently, this fuel
cell is not considered an appropriate solution for soldiers, Fasano detailed.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) use hydrogen as fuel. These fuel cells have not
been exploited for portable applications, especially in the defence sector. Further research efforts
are therefore required to adapt the technology, he added.
Meanwhile, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can utilise a variety of fuels such as liquified petroleum
gas (LPG), JP-8 (Jet Propellant 8) – derived from kerosene – and possibly hydrogen. These fuel
cells are already in use in the defence sector.
FUSS I
FUSS I spanned a one-year period and concluded in March 2023. All three fuel cells were assessed
against specific military use cases and compared with lithium-ion batteries, taking into account
typical mission durations, energy and power requirements, and logistics implications, Fasano said.
The first military use case evaluated the solutions alongside wearable soldier devices such as radios
and night-vision goggles. In this scenario, the systems were required to provide up to 10 W of
power over a three-to-five-day period. In the second scenario, more power-intensive electronic
devices were integrated, such as portable jammers, metal detectors, and thermal goggles. The fuel
cells were expected to supply 20 W of power over a three-to-five-day period. In the final use case,
the technologies were required to support up to 50 W of power over a 10-day period.
Following the completion of the trials, it was determined that PEMFCs had a high power density
and were relatively efficient. This solution would be ideal for medium-to-low power needs (up to
20 W) and short missions (maximum three days). Meanwhile, SOFCs were found to be particularly
ideal for long-duration missions (five days or more) and larger power requirements (50 W) and
were also considered the most efficient of the three fuel cells, Fasano said.
When asked which fuel cell proved the most effective, Fasano said it depended on the mission
duration and power requirements. For medium power requirements, both the PEMFC and the
SOFC were able to cut “up to 50% off the total weight” when compared with lithium-ion systems.
The saving was greater with higher power requirements, for which the SOFC is more suited.

The most interesting outcome from FUSS I was the relative safety of hydrogen as a fuel source,
particularly when compared with LPG fuel cells. For example, in a controlled explosion, the flame
produced from hydrogen was far smaller than from an LPG-powered solution.
FUSS II
Following the culmination of FUSS I, it was concluded that a miniaturised SOFC technology
demonstrator would be developed for the next stage of the programme – FUSS II. According to
Fasano, the determining factor was its superior performance compared with traditional battery
systems, in particular for long-duration missions and high power demands (50 W for up to 10
days). Furthermore, its ability to operate on a variety of different fuels such as propane – widely
used in the military – allows for logistical flexibility, he added.
However, the SOFC must operate at high temperatures, making the current format challenging as a
soldier system, primarily because achieving this temperate requires a significant amount of energy,
resulting in slow start-up times and higher thermal signatures. Shielding the fuel cell will therefore
be required to reduce detection and soldier vulnerability. In addition, frequent on/off cycles can
impose mechanical failures as well as the chemical deterioration of components, Fasano said.
For these reasons, FUSS II is expected to be divided into two subsections – system design through
the development of a novel SOFC concept as well as exhaust gas management and thermal
shielding, and the study of fuel processing, taking into account different liquid fuels and the
required adaption for diesel or JP-8 applications, Fasano said.
Next stages
Upon successful delivery of FUSS II, contributing member countries may continue the project by
finalising the assembly and testing of the technology both at lab-scale and in the field (FUSS III).
The expected budget of these two follow-on phases is in the order of EUR1 million (USD1.08
million) and the overall duration is expected to be around three years, Fasano said.
Based on this approach, a detailed project proposition will be prepared so that current and further
contributing countries can express their interest in funding the project and bring the relevant
industrial partners into it.
The EDA is looking for additional partners to participate, Fasano said.
Comment
The demand for power is expected to rise as soldiers become increasingly digitalised, adopting
technologies such as advanced thermal goggles and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs).
Adding more batteries to cope with the heightened energy requirements is not an ideal solution, as
it will only serve to increase the soldier's physical burden. Increased weight also reduces the
capacity for other operationally essential equipment. To this end, the SOFC promises to bring a
step change in power capability as long as it delivers the necessary power demands while keeping
weight to a minimum – challenges that have plagued existing fuel cell studies. Nevertheless, for
fuel cells including the SOFC to be widely deployed, they must be adapted to operate on JP-8 to
reduce the logistical burden on the military and encourage adoption.

14. Mahindra set to deliver light vehicles to Indian

Army
Author: Kapil Kajal, Bangalore
Indian company Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL) will deliver the first batch of 4×4 Light
Specialist Vehicles (LSVs) known as Armado to the Indian Army by the end of July, MDSL head
of sales and marketing for land systems Colonel Manish Kumar (retd) told Janes.
The Indian Army ordered 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles in 2021. The vehicles are expected to be operated along
India's border with China. (MDSL)
1766855
The first batch will comprise 40 Armados, Col Kumar said. MDSL is supplying a total of 1,300
LSVs to the Indian Army under a contract, signed in March 2021, worth INR10.56 billion
(USD129 million).
The LSV order was fast-tracked amid the stand-off between the Indian Army and China's People's
Liberation Army (PLA) along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Janes reported at that time. The
Indian Army is scheduled to induct all the vehicles by 2025.
According to MDSL, the 4×4 LSV – powered by a 3.2 litre 215 hp diesel engine – is equipped with
a four/six-speed automatic transmission with front and rear differential locks. The LSV, which has
a top speed of 120 km/h, has a 1,000 kg payload capacity and features a “self-recovery winch” and
an “all-wheel independent suspension” system, according to MDSL.
The LSV offers ballistic protection up to B7, STANAG Level II. The vehicle can carry six troops
including the driver.
The vehicle is equipped with an in-service Global Positioning System (GPS), detachable and
adjustable modular racks, an automatic grenade launcher, an electric winch, high-frequency radio,
and screen and windows mesh protection. The vehicle also comprises a medium machine gun
mount, camouflage net storage, blast mitigation floor mat, and tactical command-and-control with
mapping.

The LSV can be used in roles such as an armoured protection vehicle for security, a light armoured
ambulance, a command-and-control vehicle, a light mortar 81/120 mm vehicle, and an ammunition
carrier for light weapons.
Col Kumar earlier told Janes the vehicle will provide high mobility along with firing capabilities to
the Indian Army.
Comment
The Indian Army seeks to enhance the protection of troops and mobility along the LAC in the
Himalayas.
In its bid to improve mobility, the army inducted Tata's Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles (QRFVs)
and Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicles (IPMVs) and Kalyani's M4s since the Ladakh stand-off in
2020 with China's PLA. The LSVs will be an addition to this list.
The Indian Army also seeks to replace its ageing fleet of 35,000 Maruti Gypsy light 4×4 vehicles to
improve mobility. Tata was awarded a contract to supply 3,192 4×4 Safari Storme vehicles in
December 2016 to replace the Gypsys.
In January 2023 Mahindra signed a contract with the Indian Army to deliver 1,470 Scorpio Classic
4×4 vehicles. Maruti recently announced that the Indian Army has also shown interest in the
company's newly launched 4×4 Jimny.
15. South Korea plans local transmission for fourth

batch of K2 MBTs
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to equip the fourth
batch of the Hyundai Rotem K2 main battle tanks (MBTs) with indigenous 1,500 hp EST15K
transmission developed by SNT Dynamics.
South Korea's DAPA is planning to equip the fourth production batch of the K2 MBTs with transmission developed by
local firm SNT Dynamics. An example of the K2 MBT is pictured above. (Hyundai Rotem)
1819051

A spokesperson for DAPA told Janes on 20 June that the organisation is “planning to use local
transmission made by SNT Dynamics for [K2] tanks in the fourth batch”.
According to SNT Dynamics, the EST15K transmission comprises six forward and three reverse
gears with automatic shifting using a proportional valve.
DAPA allocated KRW1.94 trillion (USD1.51 billion) in late May to produce the fourth batch of
K2s between 2024 and 2028. However, DAPA did not disclose the number of tanks to be built in
the new batch.
The third production batch – thought to number about 54 units – was approved by DAPA in late
2020 and featured German company Renk's transmission system.
The DAPA spokesperson said the tanks for the third batch will be equipped with “imported
transmission”.
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles, the K2 is a third-
generation MBT, which can be operated by a crew of three and weighs 56 tonnes.
The K2's armament comprises a 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun, a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun,
12 turret-mounted smoke grenade launchers, and a roof-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun.
The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) intends to replace ageing M48 Patton tanks and K1 MBTs
with K2s.
Comment
DAPA has been trying to indigenise K2 MBTs for nearly a decade.
The tanks in the first batch were equipped with a German MTU 883 V12 common rail diesel
engine and Renk transmission system.
In the second batch, DAPA successfully equipped the tanks with a domestically produced Doosan
engine but the local transmission system failed to pass durability tests.
The third batch – similar to the second batch models – will feature the Doosan engine and Renk
transmission.
In September 2022 a company official of SNT Dynamics told Janes that the development and
testing of the new transmission is 90% complete and the company seeks to supply the EST15K
transmission for some K2s for the third batch.
However, DAPA's confirmation to use Renk transmission for the entire third batch indicates the
problems with the local transmission are not completely resolved.

16. South Korea orders second mass production of

command post vehicles
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed a contract worth
KRW700 billion (USD541 million) with Hyundai Rotem for the mass production of the second
batch of an unspecified number of wheeled command post vehicles (CPVs).
The new command post variant of the K808 wheeled armoured vehicle is expected to enter the RoKA service in 2023.
(DAPA)
1819289
DAPA said in a press release on 21 June that in the second mass production batch the agency
intends to evaluate the “Ukrainian-Russian war pattern” to detect improvements in the CPVs with
the goal to deploy an improved version of vehicles with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).
“During this second mass production, we plan to secure a highly reliable weapon system by
applying the latest technology necessary for weapon system operation such as operator safety and
convenience as well as interconnectivity with other weapon systems,” DAPA added.
According to DAPA, the CPV is intended to replace “tent-type field command posts that take too
long to install and dismantle, and cannot protect against enemy firearms, artillery, and chemical,
biological, and radiological attacks”.
The vehicle is equipped with command-and-control (C2) systems such as the Army Tactical
Command and Control Information System (ATCCIS) and the Battalion Battle Command System
(B2CS).
Janes earlier reported that the CPV is operated by a two-person crew with accommodation for up to
eight additional personnel. It is equipped with a positive pressure system to protect against nuclear,
biological, and chemical (NBC) agents, and is fitted with a protected weapon station.
DAPA said the project to develop the CPVs – the design for which is based on the RoKA's K808
wheeled armoured vehicle (WAV) – started in 2017 and ended in December 2020.
DAPA signed a deal worth KRW55.3 billion with Hyundai Rotem to acquire the first batch of an
unspecified number of CPVs in June 2022.

The CPVs will be part of the RoKA's newly formed Army Tiger Demonstration Brigade (ATDB),
which was formed to modernise the army by utilising artificial intelligence (AI), manned-
unmanned systems, and intelligence-based concepts.
Comment
The ATDB concept – unveiled in mid-2018 – is part of South Korea's Defense Reform 2.0
initiative. Under the reform, the RoKA will reduce the number of personnel and place a strong
emphasis on technology.
The RoKA introduced technologies such as C2 operations, unmanned weapons, training and
simulation, and logistics and support to downsize the force. The CPVs are a part of these
technologies.
Seoul also hopes to focus on such technologies to reduce foreign reliance and boost exports.
17. Hanwha plans to participate in India's FICV, light

tank programmes
South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace is planning to participate in some of the Indian Army's most
ambitious programmes to procure capabilities including Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles
(FICVs) and light tanks.
South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace plans to offer its Redback infantry fighting vehicle to fulfil the Indian Army's FICV
requirement. (Hanwha Aerospace)
1767827
A Hanwha Aerospace spokesperson told Janes that the company plans to offer its Redback and
K21 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to fulfil the Indian Army's FICV requirement.
The Indian Army seeks to replace its ageing fleet of 2,500 Soviet Union-era BMP-1 and BMP-2
ICVs under the FICV programme. The government approved the FICV procurement in February.
The Redback's armament includes a 30 mm machine gun, a 7.62 mm co-axial gun, anti-tank guided
missiles (ATGMs), and a remote-controlled weapon station, the spokesperson said.

“It is protected by the configurable armour and active protection system. Situational awareness
using the see-through armour technology and team-integrated battle management system has been
applied to this combat system.”
“The K21 is a 25 tonne amphibious IFV already in service with the Republic of Korea Army
(RoKA) since 2009, whereas the Redback is the latest development of Hanwha. The Redback has
already been successfully demonstrated in Australia, Poland, and Korea and it is now generating
interest from various other countries as well,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said that the company is in discussions with its Indian partner Larsen & Toubro
(L&T) to produce Redback IFVs in India.
Hanwha is also planning to participate in the Indian Army's programme to procure light tanks with
its K21-105 light tank.
In April 2021 the Indian Army issued a request for information (RFI) to procure 350 locally
manufactured light tanks for deployment in assorted terrains.
The K21-105 light tank is based on a K21 IFV chassis equipped with a John Cockerill C3105 105
mm gun turret, the spokesperson said.
The K21-105 weighs 26 tonnes and is equipped with a turret, which has 360° rotation capability
and an elevation angle of 42°. Hanwha is also willing to offer technology to L&T to support the
licensed production of the K21-105 in India, the spokesperson added.
Hanwha has been trying to improve its presence in India for a decade. The company had a
significant breakthrough when it was selected to supply 100 K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers
(SPHs) to the Indian Army in 2015.
In early 2018 Hanwha entered into a joint venture (JV) with L&T to manufacture 100 K9s in India.
In February 2021 L&T announced that the Indian Army received all 100 K9s.
In February 2023 Hanwha confirmed to Janes that the company is preparing to fulfil a requirement
to supply 100 additional K9s to the Indian Army.
The spokesperson added the contract for additional 100 K9s is in the negotiation stage “between
our Indian partner L&T and the Indian Ministry of Defence”.
Jayant Patil, L&T's senior executive vice-president for defence, told Janes in April 2023 that the
order will be awarded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024.
“Another product we would like to offer to the Indian Army is the K10 ammunition resupply
vehicle (ARV) for the K9. It provides continuous fire support to the K9 howitzers due to automated
ammunition handling and inventory management, which ensures the rapid resupply of
ammunition,” the Hanwha spokesperson added.
“One K10 can store up to 104 projectiles and more than 500 charges. The transfer rate [of
ammunition] is 12 rounds per minute. With the existing K9s in operation with the Indian Army and
the upcoming procurement of additional quantities, it is highly recommended for the induction of

K10 as well into the service to help with the continuous operation of K9 in a battlefield situation,”
the spokesperson said.
Comment
Hanwha also offered its Hybrid Biho self-propelled air-defence system to the Indian Army in 2013
under the service's self-propelled air defence gun missile system (SPAD-GMS) programme. The
system “successfully passed the Indian Army trials in 2017”, the spokesperson said.
This 26 tonne vehicle is a combination of twin-barrel 30 mm guns and four ready-to-fire surface-to-
air missiles integrated with radar and an electro-optic tracking system, which provides a high kill
probability against all kinds of aerial threats.
“The system is based on an autonomous and high-mobility lightweight tracked chassis that ensures
the required air-defence capabilities for mechanised forces and military bases. We intend to
manufacture, assemble, integrate, test, and deliver the equipment to the Indian Army from our
Indian partner L&T's manufacturing unit in Gujarat,” the spokesperson added.
18. Japan to procure Hawkei, Eagle light vehicles for

trials
The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) will procure Thales Australia's Hawkei and General
Dynamics Land Systems' Eagle protected mobility vehicles for trials as part of the Japan Ground
Self-Defense Force's (JGSDF) acquisition of a new wheeled armoured vehicle.
“This fiscal year we are going to procure the Hawkei and Eagle [vehicles] for demonstration
[purposes],” an MoD spokesperson told Janes. “We will select [one of the vehicles for the JGSDF]
based on the demonstration results.”
Thales Australia's Hawkei – pictured above in service with the Australian Army – and General Dynamics Land
Systems' Eagle are competing to supply the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force with a successor to its locally built Light
Armoured Vehicle. (Commonwealth of Australia)
1732674

The wheeled armoured vehicle programme aims to replace the JGSDF's ageing fleet of nearly
2,000 Komatsu 4×4 Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs).
The Japan MoD spokesperson said the number of new vehicles to be procured is “under
consideration”. The spokesperson added, “The date [of the selection of vehicle and contract award]
has not been fixed yet because it will be decided based on the demonstration results.”
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Armoured Fighting Vehicles, the Hawkei is a 4×4
light protected mobility utility vehicle designed and built to provide greater protection for troops.
According to Thales, the Hawkei can be equipped with a 7.62 mm to 12.7 mm main gun or a 40
mm automatic grenade launcher. The Hawkei has a kerb weight of seven tonnes and a payload of
three tonnes.
It is powered by a 268 hp diesel engine, which provides a top speed of 115 km/h and an operational
range of 600 km, with a fuel consumption of 3 km/litre. It can climb a 60% gradient and a 40% side
slope and has an angle of departure and approach of 45°.
The Eagle is a 4×4 multi-purpose protected mobility vehicle developed to provide protection for
infantry forces during counter-insurgency operations.
The Eagle can be fitted with the Kongsberg Protector remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS)
armed with a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm M2HB machine gun or an MK19 40 mm automatic grenade
launcher. Some Danish Eagle vehicles are armed with a Lemur RCWS supplied by BAE Systems.
The Eagle is powered by a Cummins ISBe 5.9 litre turbo diesel common-rail six-cylinder engine
with a 184 kW (250 hp) output and a torque of 750 N m, providing the 7.6 tonne vehicle a power-
to-weight ratio of 33 hp/t.
Comment
Japan has been developing protected mobility vehicles for more than two decades.
The reason for shifting to a foreign vendor to procure these vehicles is Komatsu's decision,
announced in 2019, to cease developing new LAV models for the JGSDF, citing slim profit
margins.
A Komatsu spokesperson told Janes at the time that the company stopped manufacturing LAVs in
fiscal year 2017. The source added that developing engines for new LAV models under stricter
emission control standards had become “too costly”.

19. Hanwha begins production of Huntsman vehicles

for Australian Army
Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) has started production of the AS9 and AS10 Huntsman family
of vehicles for the Australian Army under the country's Land 8116 Phase 1 programme, the
company told Janes on 26 June.
Under this programme, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) signed a contract worth
AUD1 billion (USD667 million) with HDA to supply 30 AS9 155 mm self-propelled howitzers
(SPHs) and 15 AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles (AARVs).
Hanwha has started production of the AS9 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and AS10 armoured ammunition resupply
vehicles for the Australian Army. The above picture shows an AS9 from an Indian Army exercise in November 2022.
The AS9 is known as K-9 Vajra T in India. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)
2036774
A spokesperson from HDA said production of the first three vehicles – two AS9s and one AS10 –
to be delivered to the Australian Army is under way at Hanwha's production plant in Changwon,
South Korea.
The spokesperson added that the production of the remaining 28 AS9s and 14 AS10s – which need
to be manufactured in Australia – under the contract will start in 2024.
“Production of the Australian-made vehicles will begin next year. The construction of the Hanwha
Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Geelong where the Huntsman vehicles will be
built is currently ahead of schedule and will [be] complete next year,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson also indicated that the schedule to deliver the vehicles has been accelerated
through an agreed new timeline. However, the spokesperson did not elaborate.
“The programme is on schedule and due to meet its next milestone later this year. As confirmed at
the recent Land Environment Working Group, the programme has been accelerated and is on track
to meet the new timeline,” the spokesperson added.
In early May Israel's Plasan said it “successfully completed” blast tests on the AS10 vehicle. This
series of tests, which started in November 2021, comprised blast tests on the AS9 and AS10
vehicles.

According to HDA, the test result “consolidated the development of the mine blast protection
system for the Huntsman vehicles with the enhanced protection elements being incorporated into
the vehicle design”.
Comments
Richard Cho, managing director of HDA, confirmed to Janes in January 2022 that the first AS9s
and AS10s are scheduled to be delivered to the Australian Army by the second quarter of 2025.
The Australian production of vehicles in Geelong will begin in late 2024 and the company intends
to complete the order by the third quarter of 2027, Cho added.
For the Australian production of the Huntsman vehicles, the technologies – including the cannon,
the suspension system, and the powerpack – will be sourced from South Korea, and the painting,
vehicle testing, and support and maintenance activities of the vehicles will be carried out by
Australian companies.
20. South Korea approves performance upgrades for

K9 howitzers
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has approved a project to
upgrade the performance of K9 Thunder 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in
service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).
South Korea has approved a project to upgrade the striking capability and turret of K9 Thunder SPHs in service with
the RoKA. (Hanwha Aerospace)
1717247
According to a press release by DAPA on 26 June, theproject will boost the striking capability of
K9 howitzers. The howitzers will also be equipped with automated turrets and crew safety
equipment as part of the project.
DAPA allocated KRW2.36 trillion (USD1.8 billion) for the project between 2023 and 2027.

“The project will improve performance through domestic research and development. It will
reinforce the rapid strike capability and improve combat efficiency by automating the feeding and
loading of the K9 turret,” DAPA said.
A DAPA spokesperson earlier told Janes that the upgrades are identified based on the input from
the RoKA and will improve the safety, convenience, and operational efficiency of K9s.
According to Janes World Armies, the RoKA operates 1,136 K9s. The K9 family of tracked SPHs
was designed and manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace to replace the country's M109A2 155
mm/L39 tracked SPHs.
Comment
As part of South Korea's Defense Reform 2.0 initiative, the RoK Armed Forces are inducting
various cutting-edge technologies. The reform also called for the RoK military to be reduced from
618,000 personnel in 2018 to 500,000 by the beginning of the 2020s.
To downsize the force, the RoKA has introduced technologies such as automated turrets and
unmanned weapons by collaborating with industry and independent research organisations.
Equipping K9 howitzers withautomated turrets is potentially a part of the reform to reduce the
number of operators.
DAPA is also collaborating with the armed forces to improve the operational efficiency and quality
of in-service weapon systems.
The agency said in mid-May that it identified five “weapon system essential functions” to increase
the operational efficiency of deployed equipment. These comprise weapon system safety,
convenience, interconnectivity, design, and national defence standards.
DAPA hopes the focus on such technologies will support defence industrial development and boost
exports.

21. South Korea orders locally produced laser

designators
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed a contract worth
KRW86.7 billion (USD66 million) with local firm Hancom Lifecare to procure ground laser target
designators (GLTDs).
DAPA has ordered new ground laser target designators, which will replace Scarab GLTDs, pictured above, in service
with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. (L3Harris)
1515606
DAPA said in late June that the project comprises the acquisition of a laser target designator, a laser
rangefinder, a thermal imager, camera, and auxiliary equipment. It added that the locally
manufactured equipment will replace imports.
DAPA said that Hancom will facilitate GLTD production through transfers of technologies from
foreign companies including L3Harris and Leonardo DRS. The project, which also includes several
local subcontractors, will reduce the weight of GLTDs while improving performance and the safety
of ground personnel, DAPA added.
Neither DAPA nor Hancom gave additional details about the specifications of the new GLTDs.
However, the company said the procured systems will improve the Republic of Korea (RoK)
Armed Force's ability to operate laser-guided bombs during close air support operations. This
improves target identification and precision strike capabilities, increasing the completeness and
survivability of operations.
Hancom, which has traditionally produced military training systems and protective equipment, said
it expects deliveries of the GLTDs to the RoK Armed Forces to be complete by October 2026.
Hancom added that the project will support its expansion into new defence technology domains.
The new GLTDs will replace the RoK Army's in-service Scarab GLTDs that were procured from
L3Harris. DAPA ordered an unspecified number of Scarab GLTDs from the US company L-3 in
2013 with deliveries starting from early 2015.

According to Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Land, the Scarab GLTD is manportable and can be
mounted on a tripod. Both the thermal imager and the day scope of the Scarab have on-screen data
displays. The device can be used for the deployment of precision and laser-guided munitions.
Comment
The new GLTD project is almost certainly prioritised by DAPA through its import substitution
programmes, which include initiatives for defence offsets, parts localisation, and domestic research
and development.
These industry programmes are centred on securing capabilities from foreign contractors in
domains that are considered crucial for the RoK Armed Forces in its drive to maintain an edge over
North Korea.
GLTDs will enable precision strike, a capability that has previously been highlighted by DAPA as a
key technology to support the RoK Armed Forces' ‘three-axis' defence system. The South Korean
government said in October 2022 that it would support the three-axis system with investment worth
USD21 billion over five years.
The three-axis defence system refers to capabilities comprising ballistic missile defence, pre-
emptive strike, and retaliation.
22. Norway approved for further Small Diameter

Bombs for F-35
A Norwegian request for the additional purchase of Raytheon GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb
(SDB) IIs (now known more commonly as StormBreaker) for its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A
Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters has been approved by the US State Department.
The F-35 demonstrating its ability to carry four SDB IIs (plus an AIM-120 AMRAAM) in each of its two internal
weapons bays. (Raytheon)
1628576
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the approval on 28 June, saying
that a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of up to 580 SDBs could be provided to equip the 52 F-35As

on order with the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RoNAF). This number adds to the 20 SDBs already
approved for a total potential sale of 600 bombs for an estimated USD293 million.
“The proposed sale will improve Norway's capability to meet current and future threats by
bolstering operational readiness while enhancing air and defence capabilities with a modernised
weapon to support the new F-35A fleet,” the DSCA said.
The F-35A can carry up to eight SDB I/IIs in its twin internal weapons bays.
Comment
The original SDB I utilised an advanced Anti-Jam Global Positioning System-aided Inertial
Navigation System (AJGPS/INS) to provide guidance to the co-ordinates of a stationary target from
a range of more than 60 n miles. The payload is a 93 kg (206 lb) multi-purpose penetrating and
blast-and-fragmentation warhead coupled with a cockpit-selectable electronic fuze. The SDB II has
been developed to provide an improved all-weather, day and night, air-to-surface attack capability
against stationary and moving land or sea targets at close-in to stand-off distances. The weapon
incorporates an improved tri-mode seeker that features a millimetric-wave (MMW) radar, uncooled
imaging infrared (2IR), and semi-active laser (SAL) mode of operation. This seeker enables the
SDB II to autonomously search, acquire, and track its target before automatically selecting the
optimum aim-point.
23. US approves 30 mm ammunition sale to Taiwan

Author: Jon Grevatt, Bangkok
The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced potential deals
with Taiwan worth USD440.2 million to supply the island with 30 mm ammunition as well as spare
parts for military vehicles and weapons.
The DSCA said on 29 June that the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) deals have been approved by the
State Department. The proposed sales must be approved by the US Congress before being finalised.
The potential sale of 30 mm ammunition is worth USD332.3 million. The deal will support the
Republic of China Army's (RoCA's) CM-34 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which are
fitted with the electro-mechanically stabilised Northrop Grumman Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30 mm
dual-feed autocannon.
Taiwan's CM-34 IFV, fitted with its 30 mm gun, is pictured at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition
in 2019. (Janes/Kelvin Wong) 1748049

The DSCA said that the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the US
has requested to procure various unclassified 30 mm ammunition – including 30 mm High
Explosive Incendiary-Tracer (HEI-T) rounds, 30 mm multi-purpose rounds, and 30 mm training
rounds – and related engineering and technical assistance.
Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems are the principal
suppliers.
The potential sale of spare and repair parts to Taiwan is worth USD108 million, the DSCA said.
“The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's vehicles, small arms,
combat weapon systems, and logistical support items,” the DSCA added. Principal contractors will
be determined by the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
Analysis
The US sales of ammunition and spare parts to Taiwan is consistent with a now-established
strategy in Washington to provide the island with equipment that can support asymmetric warfare –
a capability that the US believes will help Taiwan to respond to any potential invasion from China.
US officials have previously described asymmetric capabilities as those that are cost-effective,
mobile, resilient, and “decentralised”. US officials have said the strategy for Taiwan has been
heavily influenced by Ukraine's success in responding to its invasion by Russia.
The strategy is less centred on the provision of major US military platforms and more focused on
supplying munitions and logistics; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; short-
range air-defence systems; naval sea mines; and coastal defence and cruise missiles.

Electronics & Communication Systems
24. Paris Air Show 2023: Elbit Systems unveils new

airborne ECM
Author: Olivia Savage, Paris
Elbit Systems has launched a new airborne electronic countermeasure (ECM) system called Nano
SPEAR (Self Protection Electronic Attack and Reconnaissance) at the Paris Air Show 2023, held
from 19 to 25 June.
Elbit Systems Nano SPEAR displayed at the Paris Air Show 2023. (Janes/Elbit Systems)
2045185
Nano SPEAR is a miniature countermeasure system designed to protect aircraft against radar-
guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.
Weighing less than 0.8 kg, the expendable radio frequency (RF) decoy fits in an aircraft's existing
countermeasure dispenser system, reducing the integration burden. Once deployed, the decoy acts
independently to lure away hostile radar-guided missiles, Asher, CTO for Elbit Systems airborne
business development unit, told Janes.
The ECM features an advanced digital receiver, a digital RF memory device, and an electronic
warfare (EW) technique generator. It can complement an aircraft's existing EW systems, or act as a
standalone EW solution, the company said.
EW jammers are not always equipped on aircraft because of size and complexity. In this regard, the
Nano SPEAR can act as a replacement to a jammer, Asher said.
The company plans to operationally test Nano SPEAR in 2024 with one of their customers, he
added.
Nano is part of the SPEAR family, comprising the Micro SPEAR for very small installations, Light
SPEAR for installation on mid-sized helicopters and UAVs, and the Advanced SPEAR ECM Pod
for fighter and transport aircraft.

Comment
Although Asher was unwilling to disclose which customer the company was planning to test the
ECM system with, he alluded it might be an existing SPEAR customer. Israel is known to operate
SPEAR.
25. USAF eyes satcom terminal integration on Reaper

UAS
Author: Carlo Munoz, Washington DC
The US Air Force (USAF) is looking to demonstrate an expanded satellite communications
(satcom) capability, leveraging satcom terminals integrated aboard the air service's MQ-9 Reaper
unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
Service officials from AFWERX, a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL),
inked a technology development deal with CesiumAstro to integrate the company's Ka-band satcom
terminal into the Reaper aircraft, according to a 16 June statement by the company. The USD3.6
million deal was financed through the air force's Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) programme,
company officials said, noting CesiumAstro would be tasked with construction, integration, testing,
and demonstration of the satcom system planned for the modified MQ-9.
An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line as the sun sets at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, on 20 November 2019. (US
Air Force)
2002419
Specifically, company engineers will modify to scale a variant of its active electronically scanned
array (AESA) satcom terminal “to fit the size, weight, and power requirements of a Group 5
unmanned aerial system”, the statement said.
Planned demonstrations of the modified satcom terminal mounter aboard the Reaper UAS will be
used to determine “connectivity benefits” of the airborne, integrated satcom terminal with
commercial service providers, CesiumAstro officials said in the statement.

“The [USAF] award directly supports the Department of Defense's need to enhance higher
throughput connectivity aboard airborne vehicles” and coincides with plans by CesiumAstro's
planned live flight demonstration of its satcom terminal platform aboard an Airbus commercial
aircraft scheduled for late 2023, company officials said.
Both the Reaper integration project and the Airbus flight demonstration “will demonstrate
complementary capabilities [and] showcase both the scalability and dual-use nature” of the
company's AESA-based terminal.
CesiumAstro's AESA satcom terminal comes in three form factor variants – small, medium, and
large – and features a single active phased transmit array antenna and a single active phased receive
array antenna, according to a company fact sheet.
The small-form factor variant weighs in at a maximum of 20 lb with a peak DC power output of
between 130 and 200 W. The large-form factor terminal has a maximum weight of 136 lb with a
peak power range of 550–900 W, the fact sheet said. It remains unclear which of the three form
factor variants will be used as the basis for the modified satcom receiver for the MQ-9.
All three variants are capable of steering between one and two beams simultaneously, the fact sheet
said. The steerable array capability and multibeam architecture of the AESA-based satcom terminal
will allow “the rapid scaling of the array to meet the needs of unique mission sets”, the 16 June
statement said.
News of the MQ-9 integration effort comes a month after company officials announced plans to
fold in its AESA radio frequency (RF) communications payload into low-Earth orbit (LEO)
satellites being developed for the Pentagon's Space Development Agency (SDA).
Raytheon programme officials plan to integrate seven Vireo AESA RF payloads into the company's
prototype satellite systems being developed for the Tracking Layer of SDA's Proliferated
Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), CesiumAstro CEO and founder Shey Sabripour told Janes
in May.
The AESA payloads will be folded into the Raytheon-developed LEO satellites scheduled for the
fifth plane of the Tracking Layer, Sabripour said during a 2 May interview. “We are delivering a
couple of engineering model [payloads]: one model for the government and one that works with
Raytheon as sort of a flat side testbed,” said Sabripour. “And then we're delivering seven flight
units by the end of July of next year,” he added at the time.
Comment
Successful integration of a UAS-mounted AESA satcom terminal could significantly expand the
range and potentially reduce the latency of satcom transmissions to US armed forces units.
Adoption of unmanned airborne satcom terminals could also potentially support continued
development of a hybrid satcom architecture, akin to how cellular data is transmitted during voice
and video calls, as well as other means of electronic communication. The UAS-based terminals
could mimic the role of commercial cellular towers, acting as a relay for satcom transmissions.

26. BAE Systems unveils new M-Code-enabled

A-PNT capability
Programme officials at BAE Systems have unveiled their newest Assured-Positioning, Navigation,
and Timing (A-PNT) end-user device featuring full integration of M-Code-enabled Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology.
The NavGuide system is a portable, handheld A-PNT device designed to replace legacy Defense
Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) systems, company officials said in a 13 June statement
announcing the new system. The platform's end-user interface features a three-inch, full-colour
screen for use during dismounted operations.
The DAGR-SA system on trial with the British Army in a drop-down hands-free harness configuration. BAE Systems is
proposing its new NavGuide platform as a replacement to the legacy DAGR. (Rockwell Collins)
1192380
When fielded aboard tactical vehicles, the NavGuide's form factor matches that of the DAGR
system, allowing vehicle crews to mount the new system using DAGR mounting points already in
the vehicle, company officials said.
The M-Code GPS capability integrated into the NavGuide system provides increased signal
strength and improved defence against signal jamming and spoofing, compared with legacy
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM)-enabled GPS A-PNT systems, according
to company officials.
“NavGuide also provides a moving map, situational awareness capabilities, [and] 9-line targeting”
while meeting current military environmental requirements, Todd Peterson, director of engineering
for Navigation & Sensor Systems at BAE Systems, said in the statement.
A majority of GPS capabilities for A-PNT aboard the US armed forces' weapon systems are based
on SAASM-enabled GPS PNT. At its core, SAASM capabilities consist of an enhanced security

architecture for GPS signal transmission, which is designed to encrypt and decipher signals via
‘over-the-air' rekeying of signal receivers.
M-Code, on the other hand, is a military-only GPS signal located in the L1 and L2 GPS bands that
utilises a higher power signal, advanced message encryption formats, and signal modulation
techniques to improve transmissions while hardening the signal against electronic warfare (EW) or
signals intelligence (SIGINT) threats.
The M-Code GPS capability integrated into the new NavGuide system is likely based on similar
technology included in BAE Systems' Strategic Anti-jam Beamforming Receiver – M-Code
(SABR-M) GPS receiver, rolled out in June 2022. SABR-M leveraged “advanced beamforming
technology” to improve signal reception across military and civilian GPS spectrums, while meeting
size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements in unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), precision-
guided munitions, and advanced missile systems, company officials said at the time.
Comment
The introduction of the NavGuide into BAE Systems' family of M-Code-enabled GPS weapon
guidance and PNT systems is only the latest step in the company's efforts to expand M-Code
capability further into its portfolio of GPS weapon receiver and PNT system portfolio. This drive
matches the growing demand for M-Code capability within the US armed forces, which is
accelerating. However, while M-Code's ability to enable advanced signal encryption and resilient
transmission against spoofing or jamming threats remains one of the capability's biggest attributes,
its resiliency under real-world operational conditions remains a concern.
27. Terma to equip Skjold-class corvettes with Scanter

6000 radars
Author: Kate Tringham, London
Publication: Jane's Navy International
Danish defence and aerospace company Terma has confirmed that Royal Norwegian Navy's
(RNoN's) Skjold-class corvettes will be equipped with its Scanter 6000 surveillance radar as part of
the class's life-extension programme.
The RNoN's six Skjold-class corvettes are undergoing a life-extension programme to enable them to remain in service
until at least 2030. (Norwegian Armed Forces)
1746293

In a 15 June announcement the company said the radar had recently completed factory acceptance
testing (FAT) for the Skjold-class upgrade programme.
“These tests have further validated the robustness and reliability of the radars, ensuring their
seamless integration into the upgraded corvettes,” the company said.
In 2016 the Norwegian parliament decided to phase out the Skjold-class corvettes but this decision
was later reversed, and the corvettes are now being upgraded to enable them to remain in service
until at least 2030.
The centrepiece of the upgrade is the installation of a new combat management system (CMS),
which is being supplied by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace under a contract worth NOK267
million (USD25.28 million) awarded by the Norwegian Defence Material Agency in June 2022.
According to Kongsberg, the combat system is being upgraded with a similar system to that in
operation with the RNoN's Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. As part of the contract Kongsberg will
also update the tactical datalinks and other functions in the combat system.
Thales was awarded a contract in December 2022 to upgrade the integrated friend-or-foe (IFF)
system.
The RNoN operates six Skjold-class corvettes, which entered service between 2010 and 2013. The
first of class was originally commissioned in 1999 as a prototype for testing and trials before being
brought up to operational standards.
The 48 m ships have a top speed of 60 kt in low sea states, with key features including a low radar
cross-section and small optic, acoustic, magnetic, and infrared signatures. The corvettes' primary
armament is a battery of eight Naval Strike Missiles in two quadruple launchers.
Comment
The Scanter 6000 is a coherent X-band (NATO I-band) solid-state air and surface 2D tactical
surveillance radar designed for installation onboard surface platforms. It has been specifically
designed as an affordable all-weather sensor solution to plug the gap between standard marine
navigation radars and more expensive military surveillance radar systems.

28. Paris Air Show 2023: Thales, PT Len partner on

Indonesian air surveillance radars
Author: Oishee Majumdar, Bangalore;Olivia Savage, Paris
Thales will supply 13 Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) long-range air surveillance radars and
the associated SkyView command-and-control (C2) system to Indonesia, in collaboration with its
local partner, PT Len Industri.
The contract will “span the next few years” with Thales building the radars and the C2 system and
PT Len manufacturing “certain components” of the radars, establishing the radar stations, and
supporting the installation and integration of the systems, the two companies announced in a media
release on 19 June at the Paris Air Show 2023.
Thales has partnered with PT Len to provide 13 GM400α long-range air surveillance radars (pictured) and the
SkyView command-and-control system to the Indonesian National Armed Forces. (Thales)
2036325
Thales and PT Len said the GM400α radars will be installed across the Indonesian archipelago to
support the TNI to detect different types of threats “from jets and missiles to hovering helicopters
and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles]”.
Yves Descourvieres, head of product management at Thales, told Janes on 19 June the 13 GM400α
radars are expected to provide surveillance coverage for about half of Indonesia's territory.
In May 2022 Thales and PT Len were awarded a contract to supply the TNI with the French
company's Ground Master 403 (GM403) air surveillance radars and the SkyView C2 system.
Thales has not confirmed whether the new contract will feature the supply of the GM400α instead
of the GM403 or is in addition to the GM403.
Thales had not provided more information about the contract at the time of publication.
According to company specifications, the GM400α features five times more processing power than
its previous versions and has an extended range of up to 515 km. The radar has an update rate of 6 s
and an elevation coverage of up to 40°.
The GM400α uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to simultaneously detect and track
high-, medium-, and low-altitude targets including UAVs hiding in the clutter near the radar. The

GM400α is also equipped with a Mode 5 identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system to classify
detected targets and avoid fratricide.
Thales said that more than 80 GM400α have been sold globally. In September 2022 a Thales
spokesperson told Janes the company is also proposing the GM400α for a Royal Thai Air Force
(RTAF) programme to replace about 15 ground-based radars in operation across the country.
The SkyView system to be delivered to the TNI is a commercial equivalent of NATO's Air
Command and Control System (ACCS).
According to Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Air, SkyView provides a single integrated air
picture for surveillance and mission control. It also supports air defence by co-ordinating all
networked short-range, medium-range, and extended-range anti-aircraft weapon systems.
Comment
Bandung-based state-owned defence electronics firm PT Len has been supporting the Indonesian
government's efforts to increase technology transfers during defence procurements by strengthening
co-operation with companies such as Thales.
In November 2022 PT Len and Thales established a joint venture (JV) to conduct maintenance,
repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for radars in service with the Indonesian Air Force. Thales
said the JV is projected to begin operations in early 2024.
The two companies also signed multiple agreements in 2022 to conduct joint research and
development (R&D) in areas such as military satellites, cyber, UAVs, electronic warfare, and
combat management systems.

29. Paris Air Show 2023: German Air Force to receive

new air-defence radar
Author: Olivia Savage, Paris;Naqi Wasif, Bangalore
Leonardo will deliver a new tactical RAT 31DL/M long-range deployable air-defence radar
(DADR) to the German Air Force following an agreement with the NATO Support and
Procurement Agency (NSPA), the company announced at the Paris Air Show 2023 held between
19 and 25 June.
Leonardo RAT 31DL/M radar will be delivered to the German Air Force to supplement its air-defence capabilities.
(Janes/Patrick Allen )
1326254
This will be the third system delivered by the company to the German Air Force since 2007.
The two radars currently in service will receive a mid-life upgrade as part of this contract. In
addition, the company will offer logistical studies, training, and operational production support.
Leonardo was unable to respond to Janes at the time of publication.
RAT 31DL/M is an L-band (NATO D-band; 1–2 GHz) long-range, transportable, 3D air-defence
radar specifically designed to support NATO peacekeeping forces in the field. It has a range of up
to 400 km and can be quickly deployed (under 120 minutes) as a front-line battlefield system to
survey and protect territory and assets from all airborne threats.
The radar is intended as a trailer-mounted system that fits on two 6.1 m (20 ft) ISO-compliant
containers that can be mounted on commercial cross-country trucks. A single Airbus A400M
transport aircraft or Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter can airlift the system, and if required, the
radar can be integrated into a cluster of netted RAT DL/S/SL radars.
Comment
The latest version of the RAT 31DL and RAT 31DL/M radar is said to be fully digital, which integrates
gallium nitride (GaN) solid-state transmit/receive modules (TRMs), a Leonardo spokesperson said in March
2022. This replaces ageing analogue components, enabling graceful degradation and digital signal
distribution and processing, together with digital beam-forming (DBF).
This technology is expected to be provided as part of the mid-life upgrade.

30. Paris Air Show 2023: Hanwha Systems, Leonardo

partner to develop AESA radars
South Korea's Hanwha Systems has signed an agreement with Leonardo to collaborate on the
development and export of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for light combat
aircraft (LCA).
The agreement, signed at the Paris Air Show 2023, is expected to lead to the development of an
“export model” of the AESA radar, Hanwha Systems said in a media release on 21 June.
Hanwha Systems will partner with Leonardo to develop AESA radars for export. Hanwha Systems has earlier
developed AESA radars for South Korea's KF-21 fighter aircraft (pictured) in collaboration with the ADD. (Defense
Acquisition Program Administration)
2017794
The agreement is expected to facilitate Hanwha Systems' entry into the global AESA radar market
as well as strengthen Leonardo's position in the global LCA market, Hanwha Systems added.
An AESA radar can enable faster beam-steering by electronically controlling multiple small
transmit/receive (T/R) modules integrated on its front, Hanwha Systems said. It also supports wide-
area surveillance and simultaneous detection of multiple targets, enhancing situational awareness of
defence forces, the company added.
Hanwha Systems had not responded to Janes request for more information at the time of
publication.
Analysis
Hanwha Systems is expected to leverage its experience of developing the AESA radars for South Korea's
KF-21 fighter aircraft – being built by the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) – in its collaboration with
Leonardo.
Hanwha Systems partnered with the state-owned Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to develop the
AESA radars for the KF-21 aircraft.
According to Hanwha Systems, the AESA radars integrated onto the KF-21s can emit multiple frequency
beams simultaneously to detect enemy targets, reducing the likelihood of the aircraft getting attacked. These
AESA radars can detect and track targets, acquiring information including the target's distance, azimuth,
speed, and elevation. They are also able to generate video images of targets.

31. DARPA's Project Otter explores VLEO capabilities

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking industry input on the
viability of developing and fielding very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites for use by the US armed
forces, according to a pair of recent solicitations.
Project Otter, as envisioned, will assist DARPA in evaluating potential industry solutions to
“develop and demonstrate ‘air-breathing' electric propulsion technologies enabling extended
satellite operations in very low Earth orbit”, according to a programme summary included in a 15
June solicitation. Project Otter, which is expected to begin in earnest in fiscal year (FY) 2024,
represents the agency's main thrust towards developing a potential VLEO capability.
“DARPA is exploring ideas to help frame future VLEO program investments, with a focus on
overcoming energy demand in a high-drag environment, [and] concepts and technologies suitable
and complementary to the [VLEO] atmosphere are of interest,” according to a second agency
solicitation issued on 16 June.
A rendering of the Stingray very low Earth orbit space vehicle. (EOI Space)
2008885
The VLEO satellites will orbit at a maximum operational altitude of 250 km above the earth's
surface, nearly 250 km below the average operational altitude of LEO satellites, which sits roughly
at 500 km. However, agency officials anticipate potential VLEO space vehicles (SVs) could
conduct missions as low as 90 km above the earth, according to the 15 July solicitation.
DARPA's effort to explore VLEO capabilities for the Pentagon comes as the department continues
to mature LEO systems and platforms tied to its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture
(PWSA). The Pentagon's Space Development Agency (SDA) in May kicked off the development of
Tranche 2 SV prototypes for the PWSA's Transport Layer.
The Transport Layer of the PWSA is designed to enable datalink transmission to extend the current
LEO satellite communications (satcom) constellations from line-of-sight ranges into satcom-type
ranges and reach. It is one of several layers that agency officials are planning to support the new
LEO satellite architecture.

US military planners in recent years have pursued LEO capabilities for tactical and operational
satcom because of the low-latency benefits LEO-based satcom provides over constellations
operating at higher geosynchronous (GEO) orbits. Latency is improved at LEO over GEO because
of the shorter distances satcom signals and data must travel to and from terrestrial ground stations.
The distance satcom and data must travel from VLEO altitudes is significantly shorter compared
with LEO, resulting in further reduced rates of signal latency in space-based communications.
Latency aside, VLEO-based satcom constellations also include “reduced payload power draw,
improved signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, [and] enhanced
spatial resolution for optical imagery”, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
A proposed VLEO constellation, based on the Stingray VLEO SV built by Colorado-based satellite
company EOI Space, is tentatively scheduled for initial launch at the end of 2024, according to an
ESA fact sheet. Once in orbit, the Stingray constellation will be the first commercial satellites to be
deployed at VLEO.
The initial VLEO constellation will consist of six Stingray SVs, with eventual plans for “a
constellation of up to 60 satellites with each spacecraft planned to remain in orbit for up to five
years”, the ESA fact sheet stated.
“The VLEO Stingray will have the capability to send near-realtime imagery to a fixed ground
station or mobile user within a few minutes,” the fact sheet said. One of the long-term goals
envisioned for the Stingray constellation is the ability to bypass “traditional ground station
processing stacks” when transmitting signals and data, it added.
This capability is likely more suited to military applications than commercial applications, given
the “US Army and Air Force desire to receive data faster than current systems”, the fact sheet
noted.
While the upsides of a VLEO satcom constellation for the US armed forces are clear, the greatest
conceptual benefit of fielding VLEO SVs – the exceptionally low orbits the constellation can
operate at – is also proving to be one of the biggest development challenges for DARPA.
Since VLEO satellites operate at such low orbits, the SVs are subjected to a much larger amount of
“atmospheric drag” created by the distance between the SVs and the earth's residual atmosphere,
agency officials said in the solicitations.
LEO and GEO satellites that operate at higher altitudes are not subject to the same volume of
atmospheric drag. As a result, SVs flying at VLEO must use their internal propulsion systems to
keep them in orbit, which requires a tremendous amount of fuel and power.
“For satellites that try to remain in VLEO, dealing with drag is the biggest hurdle to overcome.
Methods to harvest energy in VLEO may enable methods to overcome this hurdle,” DARPA
officials said in the solicitations. “One potential goal of a future program is the demonstration of
energy-harvesting technology unique to the VLEO environment,” they added.
While energy-harvesting technologies are one avenue programme officials are pursuing for VLEO,
the electronic propulsion system being explored in Project Otter will leverage “ambient low-density

air, and ionize and accelerate the resultant ion flow, thereby enabling extended satellite operations
at VLEO altitudes”, programme officials said in the 15 June solicitation.
DARPA officials will evaluate prototype propulsion systems through a series of ground tests,
which “will culminate in long-duration ‘orbiting wind tunnel' spaceflight demonstration,
characterizing the performance of one or more ‘air-breathing' electric propulsion systems in the
orbital environment”, the solicitation stated.
The wind tunnel-simulated VLEO spaceflight demonstration is expected to last over a year, in
order to replicate the length of time a given VLEO SV would be in orbit.
“The program will test thruster and inlet technologies at appropriate scale and achievable test
conditions on the ground to collect data that can be compared with on-orbit results. The
combination of ground and flight-test data will validate the system's ability to harvest free
molecular ambient air and provide necessary thrust,” DARPA officials said in the Project Otter
solicitation.
Project Otter development will be broken down into two stages. The first phase of development
will focus on achieving preliminary design review (PDR) for proposed prototype solutions
“informed by significant brass board testing”, the 16 June solicitation stated. Solutions clearing the
PDR phase will be further matured in order to complete critical design review (CDR) and deliver
“flight-qualified hardware” capable of supporting simulated on-orbit operations.
The main focus in phase two of Project Otter will be preparation for and execution of the year-long
orbital wind tunnel tests. Specifically, selected industry proposals will mature technologies for a
proposed VLEO SV “including the launch vehicle and the ground segment to support flight
operations”, culminating in a PDR approval of the SV and associated technologies, the solicitation
said.
“The system preliminary design will be informed by significant risk-reduction testing and
demonstratable technology maturation,” it added. Prior to the orbital wind tunnel tests, industry
offerors “are expected to complete system critical design, validated by full-scale ground testing, by
integrating [phase one] component technologies into the [prototype space] vehicle”, the Project
Otter solicitation stated.
Comment
US Air Force personnel have been working with EOI Space, collaborating on testing and
evaluation efforts on the company's Hall-effect Thruster-X (HET-X) electric propulsion system.
The most recent test took place in February 2021 in which the HET-X underwent a two-week test
at Edwards Air Force Base in California, a company statement said at the time. The HET-X
technology uses traditional electric propulsion fuel sources, and the thruster can maintain mission
operations from VLEO, according to the ESA. A new fuel variant tested in February 2021 showed
“an output of 20–150 millinewtons … when supplied with an input power between 350–2,500
[W]”.

32. China's Cuban spy base: Imagery shows SIGINT facility

near Bejucal
Author: Naqi Wasif, Bangalore;Sean O'Connor, Dayton, Ohio;
Daniel Wasserbly, Washington, DC
Key points
• China appears to have established a joint facility in Cuba to collect signals intelligence
against US targets
• The facility may be capable of tracking missiles, ships, and aircraft, and intercepting
communications
Based on Janes analysis of satellite imagery of what appears to be a Cuban-Chinese signals

intelligence (SIGINT) base near Bejucal, Cuba, Beijing has placed a space and missile tracking
radar, arrays for tracking and collecting transmissions from ships and aircraft in the Southern US
and the Gulf of Mexico, and a satellite communications (satcom) capability about 175 km from the
US mainland.
In early June 2023 several US media outlets reported that China had reached an agreement with
Cuba to monitor the mainland United States using Cuban SIGINT facilities. The US government
suggested it has been aware, at least since 2019, that China had positioned new and upgraded
SIGINT collection equipment in Cuba that might be collecting and transmitting data to China.
Janes analysed commercially available satellite imagery for this facility from 2010 onwards,
exploring the extent to which electronic eavesdropping is being carried out from Cuba.
Maxar Technologies imagery showing facilities within the Bejucal SIGINT Complex in Cuba on 17 May 2023. (Maxar
Technologies/Janes)
2021895

SIGINT collects intelligence from communications and information systems. SIGINT includes
communications intelligence (COMINT) that analyses radio-based communication and electronic
intelligence (ELINT) that analyses radio frequency (RF) emissions from radars, jammers,
transponders, and other electronic systems.
The information is demodulated, decoded, and finally interpreted before it is disseminated to end-
users. SIGINT, which can have significant strategic and operational impacts, is typically conducted
by military and security agencies with access to advanced intelligence-collecting equipment.
Tracking radar
Open-source satellite imagery of the base appears to show new equipment installed since 2010 that
includes a vertical dipole antenna farm, new satcom basestation dish antennas, and an elevated
pedestal mounted with a radome containing a tracking radar.
The new set-up appears highly similar to the Chinese island bases in the South China Sea, in
particular the radar installations on Fiery Cross Reef. As shown in the Maxar imagery below, the
new equipment is located in the northwest, northeast, and south of the base in Cuba.
A new radome – constructed on an elevated pedestal in 2017 towards the north of the site in
Bejucal – appears to be a space object and missile tracking radar. The elevated pedestal gives the
radar antenna a clear field-of-regard above surrounding topological features. The pedestal also
accommodates antenna drives and gimbals for the radar to steer its antenna from 0° to 90° in
elevation to monitor objects from the horizon to directly overhead.
The radar has a diameter of approximately 6–7 m, and it is installed on a square platform around
11–12 m per side. The gimballed pedestal seen in construction images from 2017 confirms that it is
highly likely to be a directive radar, having a parabolic antenna bearing a resemblance to the
AN/FPS-129 Globus-II ‘Have Stare' tracking radar installed in Vardø, Norway.
Such tracking radars are designed to collect intelligence data against ballistic missiles, with
aerodynamic and satellite tracking as secondary missions. The primary mission of the new radar
installed in Cuba may include collecting data on satellite launches from Cape Canaveral Space
Force Station in Florida, and its secondary missions may include near-Earth satellite tracking and
data collection on missile and aerodynamic targets. For such missions, the radars would include
high metric accuracy; high sensitivity; low sidelobes; and high-resolution data collection using
narrowband, high pulse repetition frequency (PRF) wideband, and other specialised waveforms.
High-frequency array
An image of the site from 10 April 2017 (below) appears to suggest that this radar may have been
constructed at a distance from the satcom Earth station antenna farm, located to the south of the
base, to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The tracking radar has a high-powered active
transmitter operating in the X- or Ku-band, so EMI emissions could interfere with the satcom Earth
station's signal reception, hence the necessity of maintaining a half-kilometre distance between the
radar and the satcom antennas.

Maxar Technologies imagery showing a facility under construction on 10 April 2017 at the Bejucal SIGINT Complex
in Cuba. The building possibly mounts an HF radar atop a pedestal, protected by a radome. (Maxar
Technologies/Janes)
2021897
Towards the left of the tracking radar is a high-frequency (HF) dipole antenna farm consisting of 12
vertical antennas, each around 15–16 m high, which may be connected together to form the
transmitter or receiver part of an over-the-horizon (OTH) HF radar.
Historical imagery analysis reveals that these antennas started appearing from 2010 onwards and
were completed by 2014. The antenna masts are spaced in two distinct groups of six antennas each,
arranged in two columns of three rows each. One antenna group is pointing approximately 20°
north-northwest towards the North Atlantic, and the other antenna group is pointing approximately
20° north-northeast towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Maxar Technologies imagery showing the HF antenna farm within the Bejucal SIGINT Complex in Cuba. (Maxar
Technologies/Janes)
2021896

The HF array's function could be collecting signals transmitted by HF radios aboard ships and
aircraft operating around the Southern US and the Gulf of Mexico. Two or more such HF arrays
can triangulate the position of any HF transmitter by direction-finding in a purely passive mode.
The HF array could also function as an OTH radar, as such systems typically operate in the 3–30
MHz bandwidth and perform a similar function to the US mainland AN/TPS-71 relocatable over-
the-horizon radar (ROTHR) arrays that monitor Southern US airspace from Virginia, Texas, and
Puerto Rico (as shown below).
The AN/TPS-71 ROTHR coverage from sites in Virginia, Texas, and Puerto Rico. (Janes)
0505895
HF OTH radars use the refractive properties of the ionosphere to refract transmitted HF
electromagnetic waves back to Earth. When these waves hit an aircraft or a marine vessel travelling
within the radar coverage, some of the energy is reflected back along the transmission path to the
OTH radar receiver, wherein these refracted HF waves are processed through computer systems to
discern objects within the radar's footprint.
The main components of an OTH radar set-up are a transmit site, a receive site, and an operations
control centre (OCC). The transmit and receive sites are usually physically separate. The control
centre can be collocated with the receive site but is usually remoted using a high-quality telephone
line or fibre optics.
The transmit site provides radar illumination based on commands from the OCC. It also provides
the transmissions for the Quasi-Vertical Incidence (QVI) and the backscatter sounders used for
propagation management assessments. In the receiver element, the returned beams are formed
digitally in the signal processor, which also carries out the range and Doppler processing and
extracts the target detections. The detections – together with the raw processed data from which
they were extracted and signals from the sounder transmissions – are passed to the OCC for further
processing.
Satcom
The satcom antenna farm in the south of the Cuban site appears to have been upgraded with new
parabolic reflectors from 2016 to 2017, and may be used to provide real-time data to Chinese
satellites from the space tracking radarat the north of the site. This can be used to provide real-time

data related to satellite and missile launches from sites in the mainland US, such as from Cape
Canaveral, Florida, as well as missile testing by aircraft, ships, and submarines in the North
Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
A 2020 John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory report on the Chinese military
outposts in the South China Sea reefs in the Spratly Islands noted that three island reefs – Fiery
Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef – also facilitate Chinese espionage and information
warfare by providing significant command, control, communications, computers, intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and counter-C4ISR capabilities. These capabilities
represent the terrestrial segment of an integrated information system of systems (SoS) and reflect
the People's Liberation Army's informationised warfare strategy.
The C4ISR and SIGINT facilities on the Fiery Cross Reef provide a persistent intelligence
capability that can be beamed back to mainland China using the islands' satcom Earth stations.
The facility in Cuba can similarly collect patterns of US military activity in the region by
monitoring details of the movement of vessels and aircraft, missile tests or launches, space
launches, and space recoveries – over land and at sea.
Comment
Since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when the Soviet Union established several missile launchers
(later withdrawn) and SIGINT bases, such as the now decommissioned station in Lourdes near
Havana, the United States has not faced such a threat from a near-peer competitor so near the
borders of its mainland. How it responds to this latest provocation remains to be seen.
Daniel Kritenbrink, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told
reporters on 20 June that Secretary of State Antony Blinken's 18–19 June visit to Beijing included
discussions about Chinese “intelligence activities in Cuba”.
Blinken told reporters on 20 June that while in Beijing he also discussed a related report that claims
China and Cuba are negotiating a potential joint military training facility in Cuba.
This issue is particularly difficult to navigate given the US' strong but unofficial relationship with
Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province that should be unified with mainland China.
Taiwan is about 100 km from mainland China, nearly the same distance as Cuba to the US state of
Florida. Washington routinely sells military equipment to Taiwan, participates in military exercises,
and sails warships through the Taiwan Strait (‘freedom of navigation' missions).

33. Combat connectivity: US Army outlines new

challenges, capabilities for tactical network
Key points
• US Army officials are homing in on three priority capabilities – zero-trust network access;
automated network gateway access; and CMOSS-compliant software-defined radio cards –
as part of the service's technology development efforts for the latest iteration of the Integrated
Tactical Network (ITN)
• The technologies being sought for Capability Set 25 of the ITN could end up being folded
into the army's new Network of 2030 initiative
The US Army is pursuing a slate of new expeditionary networking capabilities for the service's
Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) that is designed to ensure ground units can meet combat
connectivity requirements while remaining highly mobile on the battlefield.
Service officials with Program Executive Office Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical
(PEO C3T) are seeking industry solutions for three tactical network priorities. The first is a planned
development of a “zero-trust” capability for remote connections, according to white paper
solicitations issued by PEO C3T on 15 June.
The second networking priority outlined in the solicitations is the need for new gateway automation
software for regional satellite communications (satcom). The third and final networking capability
being sought is a new software-defined radio (SDR) card for vehicle and dismounted tactical
radios.
The new SDR card would be designed from the ground up as compliant with the Command,
Control, Communications, and Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and
Electronic Warfare (C4ISR) Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) Mounted Form Factor
(CMFF) for tactical vehicles.
The white papers call is part of the service's effort to develop and mature networked
communication technologies associated with the ITN's Capability Set 25 (CS25) iteration.
Soldiers from the 50th Expeditionary Signal Battalion evaluate an ITN equipment package during a training exercise in
February 2019 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (US Army)
1764338

The final solicitation was officially released to industry on 15 June with the prototype downselect
scheduled for 6 September, service officials said during a 12 June briefing.
CS25 will be the last development and rollout of advanced networked communications
technologies for the ITN under the capability set strategy, which was based on integrating new
capabilities via a new capability set into the ITN every two years.
The capability set approach is being eschewed in favour of an incremental approach that is not tied
to any specific rollout schedule, but rather focused on meeting a handful of key priorities under the
army's new Network of 2030 initiative.
The Network of 2030 initiative, as designed, will initially focus on enabling technologies to support
three main capability objectives: assured voice communications across the battlefield; development
of “digital fires” or precision fires supported by ITN applications; and integration of a data-driven
common operating picture (COP).
The initiative will seek to develop and mature networked combat communications from a
technology perspective and simultaneously drive efforts to modernise service policies, tactics,
techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and manpower requirements to support those technologies.
Technology development for capabilities tagged for CS25 and the Network of 2030 initiative will
be executed under an agile development, security, and operations (DevSecOps) approach.
The foundational network and associated technologies developed as part of the Network of 2030
initiative will be folded into army units at the division level by 2024, as part of the service's plan to
integrate the division as a unit of action in future operations. As far as proposed technologies being
developed for CS25, those that have not reached the required maturity level will be folded into the
Network of 2030 initiative.
While it remains unclear whether the three network capabilities being sought within the white
papers requested by PEO C3T will end up in CS25 or the larger Network of 2030 initiative, those
technologies are geared to close several operational loopholes in the ITN.
On zero-trust capability for remote connections, service leaders are seeking “a scalable and
affordable solution to support remote connectivity that works with the modern security
architecture” across software-defined perimeters (SDPs) that are hardware and network agnostic,
according to the white paper solicitations.
Raytheon demonstrates its REDPro ZTX cyber-security system, as part of the company's Operational Zero Trust (OZT)
cyber-resiliency platform, during Project Convergence 2022. (Raytheon)
2019067

SDPs must adopt a zero-trust capability when deployed to survive potential network threats facing
combat units based on a mix of factors such as operating on host-country networks, commercial
and private cloud infrastructures, and utilising legacy army communications equipment and
personal end-user devices. Before SDPs, service leaders had depended on virtual private networks
(VPNs) for network connectivity.
“VPNs were useful in the past, [but] modern cyber-security needs have turned them obsolete for
several reasons. The attack surface remains broad. Users accessing their organization's resources
through VPN credentials can often access the entire network [and] scalability is harder than ever to
plan for as remote users are added to or removed from the network,” the solicitations stated.
To address those challenges, the army wants to develop zero-trust network access at the tactical
edge, the solicitations stated. As part of that overall effort, service leaders are aiming to adopt a
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) capability, which will combine software-defined wide-area
networking (SD-WAN) connections with cyber-security features such as secure gateways and
security brokers to vet access to cloud networks, it added.
As a way to support the SASE capability, the programme will seek a series of so-called Unified
Endpoint Management (UEM) tools, which can be integrated into end-user devices such as laptops
and secure mobile devices to replace traditional VPNs, the solicitations stated. Aside from UEMs,
programme planners also want to integrate virtual desktop infrastructures and Desktop as a Service
(DaaS) protocols to increase security by eliminating legacy VPN connections, it added.
While the zero-trust capability for remote connectivity focuses on securing networks across a
plethora of network transport and end-user hardware options, the service's gateway automation
effort seeks software tools that can “establish, partition, recover, and reconstitute the network,
regardless of transport and enclave”, according to the solicitations.
“There are numerous other gateways within the tactical network that operate in a similar manner,
though on a smaller scale,” the solicitations said. “The requested capability should be able to
operate at any of these gateways at any echelon, scoped to the resources available at that particular
gateway,” they added.
The sought after software tools will support network access to the US Department of Defense
Information Networks – Army (DoDIN-A) and Home Station Mission Command (HSMC)
applications to forward-deployed army units in all theatres of operation from the division level and
above, the solicitations stated.
That access is delivered via five Regional Hub Nodes (RHNs), which support Ku-, Ka-, and X-
band satcom connectivity and provide voice and data transmissions across classified and
unclassified variants of the DoDIN-A.
The hardware-agnostic software tools will provide customisable user interfaces with “per user
permission capability” granted through user authentication via common external systems, the
solicitations stated. The system will also provide users with “semi-dynamic” text generation and
tracking and data transmissions through secure outbound protocols and open application
programme interfaces (APIs), it noted, regarding proposed near-term programme requirements for
the system.

Future software tools would also include “intent-based services” capable of developing
standardised technical configurations and distilling them into “an end-stated capability for
presentation to the user/administrator for selection and implementation”, the solicitations said.
Advanced variants of the proposed software toolkit would also include mature artificial intelligence
(AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies that “can potentially simplify operational tasks while
providing tailorable and scalable capabilities at the appropriate echelon”, the solicitations noted.
Prototype software toolkits will be evaluated on a “production test node”, which replicates the
RHNs located at US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, a programme official said on
12 June. The prototypes are required to be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 before
evaluation on the test node and “if successful we would look to advancing to TRL 8 or 9”, the
official added.
PEO C3T is co-ordinating development work on the gateway automation tools with US Army
Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) and the command responsible for
integrating the new tools into the RHNs once fully mature, the official said. The new slate of
gateway automation tools are headed for RHN integration, but the end goal is to expand
distribution of the new tools into all army network gateways, according to the official.
The last of the three CS25 technology solutions being sought by PEO C3T is a new Open VPX card
for SDRs that is compliant with CMOSS.
US Army soldiers with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division conduct qualification exercises on AN/PRC
163 tactical radios at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (US Army)
2008874
The new SDR card will be designed to integrate into an Open VPX prototype chassis dubbed the
CMFF. Each CMFF chassis will contain multiple cards for communications, electronic warfare
(EW), position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities, as well as cards to support mission
command computing, Cryptographic Subsystem (CSS), the solicitations stated. CSS cards are
designed to replace Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) in tactical
vehicles fielding a CMFF chassis.
“While Block 3 waveforms include a larger set of waveforms, the intent ... is to reduce CMFF
program risk by implementing a prototype SDR card with a subset of these capabilities; namely
support for multiple simultaneous SINCGARS channels,” according to the solicitations.

Prototype variants of the CMOSS-compliant SDR card must be multiwaveform capable, enable
end-users to “operate multiple simultaneous waveforms”, and be ready for integration into the
Block 3 CMFF variant, the solicitations said.
Aside from compatibility with the CMFF chassis and Vehicular Integration for C4ISR/EW
Interoperability (VICTORY) data bus, the prototype SDR card must also be interoperable with
Modular Open Radio Frequency Architecture (MORA) interfaces to radio frequency (RF)
components, they added.
The prototype SDR card must also be able to work in conjunction with a CSS card and support a
digital interface with a radiohead via VITA 49 RF to digital interface or an analog interface, but “a
digital interface is the preferred far-term solution”.
Comment
The army's decision to pursue prototype SDR cards that are CMOSS-compliant falls in line with
the service's long-standing initiative to increase commonality and reduce size, weight, and power
(SWaP) demands on its platforms. However, efforts to impart zero trust on remote network
connections and develop gateway automation tools to recover and reconstitute network
connectivity to forward deployed units is indicative of the growing threat facing army networks
downrange from rapidly maturing EW and cyber threats.
34. US Navy approves full-rate production of new

Inertial Sensor Module
US Navy (USN) leaders have approved full-rate production for the newest variant of the sea
service's Inertial Sensor Module (ISM), which will provide surface and underwater combatants
with precision positioning data, even in the absence of Global Positioning Systems (GPSs).
Low-rate initial production (LRIP) variants of the Northrop Grumman-built AN/WSN-12 ISM had
already undergone a number of lab-based testing and evaluation by the navy, in preparation for the
system's initial sea trials in late 2023, according to Rudy Fernandez, director of the Maritime
Systems and Integration Operating Unit at Northrop Grumman. The new WSN-12, once fielded,
will replace the legacy AN/WSN-7 ISM.
“They've been tested, and they passed all the tests in the lab,” Fernandez told Janes. “There's
another component, the electronics piece ... that is still going through that kind of testing
maturation. [But] when that gets through that lab testing, then the next goal is to put both on the
ship for testing,” he said during a 22 June interview.

The AN/WSN-12 Inertial Sensor Module, which provides accurate positioning data with or without Global Positioning
Systems for US Navy ships and submarines. (Northrop Grumman)
2008887
Navy officials and their counterparts at Northrop Grumman are still discussing which surface
vessel the WSN-12 will be mounted on for the pending sea trials. However, Fernandez said the test
ship will likely be an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG). “I think it's probably
going to be a DDG ... and just to me it makes more sense that that's where it will be tested based on
how the navy has done things in the past,” he said, while making it clear that no decision on a test
ship has been confirmed.
The new WSN-12, once fielded, will replace the legacy AN/WSN-7 ISM. The WSN-7 ISM has
been the standard module within the WSN-7 inertial navigation system (INS), which is currently
deployed aboard all surface combatants equipped with AEGIS weapons systems, including the
DDG. The form factor of the new WSN-12 is designed for plug-and-play compatibility with the
WSN-7 INS. The new WSN-12 will also be deployed on undersea combatants fielding the WSN-7
INS.
The major upgrade to the WSN-12 ISM compared with the WSN-7 was the inclusion of a fibre-
optic gyroscope (FOG), replacing the legacy ring laser gyroscope (RLG) in the WSN-7, Fernandez
said. The FOG capability not only increases accuracy within the ISM, but also the elimination of
the noise attenuators and other subcomponents that were required on the WSN-7, resulting in a
somewhat smaller form factor compared with the legacy ISM. That slight reduction in sizewill
make integration into the WSN-7 INS much easier, according to Fernandez.
That change “and that sort of technology that may change a little bit of the [ISM] innards or its
size”, he said, comparing the size of the legacy WSN with the new WSN-12. “But all those
[changes] were all really minor in comparison to the actual technology of the [FOG] gyro,”
Fernandez said.
The inclusion of the FOG technology provides a higher level of accuracy over the RLGs, since the
ring lasers on the gyroscopes were susceptible to inaccurate position readings. Degradation to the
noise attenuators within the WSN-7 over time could also result in significant deviations in the
position data from the module, compared with the true position of the ship or submarine, Fernandez
added.
While issues regarding potentially inaccurate position data emanating from the WSN-7 could be
problematic, the blowback from those potential inaccuracies was exacerbated as navy crews began
to lean on the WSN-7 to support targeting data for weapons systems.

The WSN-7 ISM “was designed just as an inertial navigation system for the ship... But over time,
what happened is we got these [precision] weapons introduced, and they needed a source of
position” outside of the GPS, Fernandez explained.
For submerged submarines without a viable GPS signal, “the best source [then] was the WSN-7”
for precision weapons targeting data for submarines, he explained. While the availability of GPS
was greater for surface combatants, ship crews still needed the targeting data from the ISM as
confirmation to the GPS co-ordinates.
When inaccurate position data from the ring laser system on the WSN-7 ISM is fed into a weapon's
targeting system, “the weapon itself would not be able to take that input”, according to Fernandez.
In those instances, the weapon system “would have to go through multiple cycles of getting the
[correct] navigation information before it actually could be shot, and ... you don't want that to
happen when you're ready to shoot a weapon”, he said.
All the issues regarding potential inaccuracies in targeting data from WSM-7 stem from the fact
that the ISM was never designed to support weapons systems. “The way [the WSN-7 ISM] was
developed, it was primarily for navigation of a ship ... not inputs to weapons,” Fernandez said.
“Any kind of slight deviation to prevent the accuracy, either from a missile that you're shooting, or
if you're doing ballistic missile defence ... it's not favourable, but the WSN-12 has none of those
problems”, due in large part to the FOG technology, he added.
Comment
The new WSN-12 ISM will not only benefit targeting data for USN combatants and the precision
weapons they carry, but also for the sea service's new Electronic Chart Display and Information
System (ECDIS) programme. Certified and delivered to the fleet in 2022, the ECDIS is currently
on its initial deployment aboard the Nimitz-class carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The
WSN-12 module will provide position data into the ECDIS in the same way it does for weapons
systems. “We are now actually delivering, you know, this high-end sort of electronic charting
capability to the US Navy ... and it's expected to be proliferated throughout the rest of the fleet over
the next three to five years,” Fernandez said of the ECDIS.

35. British Army to receive new C-UAS capability

The British Army will be equipped with new weapon sights that identify and track unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs), Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) announced on 27 June.
Smart Shooter's SMASH weapon sight uses ballistically calculated coincident shot release to significantly increase the
hit rate against micro and mini UASs. (Smart Shooter Ltd)
1726304
Known as SMASH, the fire-control weapon sight developed by Smart Shooter is designed to
improve a soldier's accuracy on the battlefield by integrating a track and lock-on capability. It also
features a ‘drone mode' that enables soldiers to engage and achieve a high probability hit rate
against micro and mini UAVs.
The GBP4.6 million (USD5.85 million) contract comes under a larger GBP20 million five-year
framework that seeks to equip all three services in the dismounted close combat category with the
capability.
This initial order is for the SMASH X4 weapon sight, with deliveries expected to commence
towards the end of 2023, a Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesperson told Janes.
Viking Arms is the UK partner for Smart Shooter, which will support the delivery of additional
sights to the three services based on operational and readiness commitments, the announcement
said.
The procurement is part of the Land Ground Based Air Defence (Land GBAD) programme, which
seeks a fully integrated air-defence system of systems that counters aircraft, missiles, munitions,
and unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). SMASH is the first tranche of ‘Land GBAD Project 6',
which is delivering a counter-small unmanned aircraft system (C-sUAS) capability for the
dismounted and mounted soldier. Project 6 will deliver further C-sUAS capabilities in the future,
the announcement added.
SMASH allows the user to lock onto a target; a round is then only discharged when the system
confirms the bullet will hit the target, ensuring a higher probability hit rate. The solution features
see-through optics, affording the shooter with a realistic sight picture, clear day and night-vision
capabilities, a lock and track capability, simple controls, and a discrete reticle to maintain optimum
situational awareness. The system is available in a number of variants, including SMASH 2000L,
2000, 2000 Plus, AD, and X4.

SMASH X4 combines a 4× magnifying scope with Smart Shooter's fire-control capabilities to

deliver extended-range detection, recognition, and identification. It also includes an etched reticle
to allow shooting without battery power and an optional integrated laser rangefinder (LRF) that
enables range measurement both as a user-initiated capability and as a system input for improved
precision, the company said.
The system is in service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and is on contract with the US
Department of Defense (DoD).
Comment
The SMASH weapon sight and C-UAS capability can be mounted standalone on MIL-STD-1913
rails. This is a significant advantage for the dismounted soldier as no further apparatus is required
to support its operation. This reduces the physical and technical burden for the soldier, a key
challenge for manportable C-UAS solutions.
36. EU seeks to boost airborne electronic attack with

REACT II programme
The European Union (EU) is looking to enhance its airborne electronic attack (AEA) capabilities
via the Responsive Electronic Attack for Cooperation Tasks II (REACT II) programme announced
on 26 June.
The EU is looking to boost the airborne electronic attack capabilities of its member states via the REACT II
programme. As a participant in the programme, Germany is already developing its own Eurofighter EK aircraft for the
mission. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
2014452
Led by Spain's Indra Sistemas, REACT II is to be a 48-month research and development effort
valued at EUR69.7 million (USD76.3 million), of which the EU is to contribute EUR40 million.
“REACT II will boost effort of the EU defence sector to fill in the existing gaps in EU Airborne
Electronic Attack (AEA) capabilities,” the European Defence Fund (EDF) announced in its
factsheet for the project, which is being funded under the European Defence Industrial
Development Programme (EDIDP) 2022.

As noted in the factsheet, REACT II builds on the lessons learned from REACT I (also known as
REACT), which was disclosed in March and was funded under the EDIDP 2019. “The REACT II
system solution will be capable of performing escort jamming, stand-off jamming, stand-in
jamming, electronic warfare (EW) command and control, and cyber and electromagnetic (EM)
activities, ultimately improving reliability and security for operations,” the EDF said.
With Spain leading the programme, REACT II also includes Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Germany,
Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden (REACT I comprised Germany, Italy, Spain,
and Sweden). Both REACT I and REACT II are related to the Permanent Structured Cooperation
(PESCO) AEA programme, which involves France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
Comment
Modern multirole combat aircraft seek to incorporate the gamut of capability and performance
attributes, but each generation has prioritised a particular trait to give it a qualitative edge over its
competitors, be it in speed, stealth, manoeuvrability, or something else.
With the advancement over recent years of ground-based air-defence systems and integrated air-
defence systems (IADS) among countries and groups that would traditionally not have fielded such
advanced capabilities, the feature of choice for today's generation of combat aircraft designers is
EW in general and electronic attack in particular.
The US military's Joint Publication 3-13.1 Electronic Warfare defines the capability as, “Any
action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the EM
spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults. The purpose of EW is to deny the opponent
the advantage of, and ensure friendly unimpeded access to, the EM spectrum. EW can be applied
from air, sea, land, and/or space by manned and unmanned systems, and can target humans,
communication, radar, or other assets [military and civilian].”
AEA is one branch of this wider EW capability set.
37. IAI announces new SAR reconnaissance pod for

fighters
Author: Yaakov Lappin, Tel Aviv
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed a new synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
reconnaissance pod for fighter jets to replace its ELM-2060P.
Developed by IAI's Elta Systems subsidiary, the new ELM-2060PES has an active electronically
scanned array (AESA) antenna and a ground moving target indication (GMTI) capability, enabling
it to scan a wide swath of terrain at night and through cloud cover, a company statement said on 22
June.
The statement added that it has a high-resolution SAR Spot mode that “produces radar images that
approach photographic quality for operational reconnaissance, surveillance of critical targets,

precision strike support, and battle damage assessment”. The pod is connected to a ground station
via a two-way line-of-sight datalink that enables the imagery it gathers to be immediately exploited.
Gideon Landa, vice-president and general manager of Airborne Systems at Elta Systems, told Janes
the original ELM-2060P was developed using “the best technology of that time”, which included a
radar with a central transmitter and a mechanically controlled antenna.
He said the only aspect that has been carried over to the new ELM-2060PES is the shape of the
centreline pod that houses it, enabling users of the older system to upgrade to the new one without
needing a new certificate. “Two decades separate the current technology from the last system, [so]
the new pod's abilities can't be compared to the past,” he said.
Comment
IAI says the ELM-2060P is in service with multiple air forces around the world but has never
named these operators, although the Israeli Air Force is almost certainly one of them. The only
contract it has announced for the system was in January 2016 for a “prestigious customer in Asia-
Pacific” as part of a multisensor intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance
(ISTAR) programme led by Elbit Systems.
38. Modern Day Marine 2023: Industry pitches for new

C-UAS tech programme
Author: Meredith Roaten, Washington, Dc
The US Marine Corps (USMC) will review options for off-the-shelf counter-unmanned aircraft
system (C-UAS) solutions that were submitted earlier in June, a service official announced on 28
June.
The USMC released a draft request for proposals for the Increment 1 Block 2 Marine Air Defense
Integrated System (MADIS) on 1 June, said Don Kelley, Program Executive Officer Land Systems
(PEO LS), at the Modern Day Marine event in Washington, DC. The comments from industry –
which were due last week – will help inform the types of non-kinetic kits the service will consider
for taking out the smallest sizes of drones, he said.
“There is not one panacea that's going to take out group one, group three,” he said. For MADIS, the
programme office will be flexible in its approach, depending on what types of commercial
solutions are available, he added. That resulted in a Mad Max style for Block 1 that has “about
everything you would have in a normal combat system”, including a 30 mm cannon, a Stinger Air-
To-Air Launcher, and an M240 machine gun integrated onto a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
Block II will bring “increased lethality” to the system and add C-UAS effectors that are kinetic and
non-kinetic, according to the service. The C-UAS Engagement System (CES) is envisioned as a

capability kit, but PEO LS is still waiting for the Capability Development Document (CDD) to
come out, noted Kelley.
“What they really want me to do is take the MADIS system. Take the Mk2, which is the C2
[command-and-control] part, and then they are talking about potentially doing a laser turret,” he
said. “Lasers are not off the table”, but other non-kinetic effects are being considered, he added.
On the kinetic side, Israeli defence company Smart Shooter is in discussions with the USMC about
the SMASH Hopper Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Station for the MADIS programme, Scott
Thompson, vice-president and general manager, told Janes on 28 June. The system integrates a
DRS RADA Technologies radar system to track group 1, 2, 3 drones.
Using the radar, an operator can see a target much farther off – about 350–400 m away – and once
located, the weapon uses algorithms to track where it will go next. The accuracy approaches 70% at
that distance but starts to improve around 200 m out at 95%, he said.
“The big difference is just being able to hit the [tablet] screen, and it will automatically salute to the
target,” said Thompson at the Modern Day Marine event. Operators can be trained on this system in
less than half an hour, and the system weighs about 15 lb – light enough to be put on the back of an
Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV) MRZR Alpha, he noted.
The USMC has already deployed Smart Shooter's SMASH 2000L for C-UAS operations, he said.
Comment
The USMC is also fielding a lighter version of the MADIS weapon systems that will be attached to
the service's new utility and tactical vehicles. The Light MADIS (L-MADIS) will be integrated on
the ULTV, which started fielding in early June.
There are fielding activities scheduled throughout the rest of the year, but Kelley said PEO LS does
not need to wait. “We are looking at having those completely integrated before the end of the fiscal
year (FY) with rapid testing to allow us to get to a Milestone C Q1 FY 2024,” he said.
He added his office is working with Program Manager Light Tactical Vehicles to add a more high-
powered alternator to the ULTV. The USMC currently has four ULTVs with higher power
alternators.

39. Counter-hypersonics: Pentagon invests in sensors

but interceptors are years away
Author: Carlo Munoz, Washington, DC; Daniel Wasserbly, Washington, DC
Key points
• The US Department of Defense will first seek an ‘initial regional layered defence' against
manoeuvring hypersonic-speed weapons
• Interceptors to engage hypersonic weapons in their glide phase could be delivered in a
decade
Countering any missile threat presents a significant operational and technical challenge, and the
speed and manoeuvrability of ‘hypersonic' weapons can markedly increase those challenges.
Weapons that can manoeuvre and travel at hypersonic speeds of above Mach 5 – referred to by the
Pentagon as hypersonics – may present a new threat to US targets as they marry the
manoeuvrability of cruise missiles with the speed of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Developing defences against hypersonics was allocated as a US Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
mission and detecting and tracking the launch is critical to intercepting it. To that end, the MDA is
developing new hypersonic tracking technologies, as well as retrofitting legacy missile warning
systems with hypersonic detection and tracking capabilities.
An industry rendering of a notional HBTSS detecting, tracking, and targeting a hypersonic weapon through intercept
phase. (Northrop Grumman)
2008882
The MDA requested USD209 million in its fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget plan to finance
technology development and system upgrades under the agency's Hypersonic Defense (HD)
programme, according to budget documents. The requested funds, if approved by the US Congress,

would underwrite the agency's “counter hypersonic threats strategy [that] includes leveraging
existing systems, delivering an initial regional layered defense capability, and increasing defense
capabilities in the future”, MDA's FY 2024 spending blueprint said.
On the intercept side, the bulk of the agency's spending under the HD programme for FY 2024 will
go towards continued development of the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) weapon, designed to
destroy a hypersonic weapon during the glide phase.
Detect and track
In terms of hypersonic threat detection and targeting, the MDA is looking towards new start
programmes such as the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) to support
tracking and intercept operations against hypersonic threats, according to the MDA's budget
documents. Agency officials are also seeking “low-cost/lightweight focal plane array sensor
electronics” as a way to accelerate data throughput from satellite constellations, such as the
Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) under development by the Space Development
Agency (SDA).
To further enhance data transfers and collection via the PWSA and other space-based assets, the
MDA is looking into integrating cryocooler capabilities into “multiple sensor systems”, according
to the budget documents. Cryocoolers can enable imagery and other collection subsystems aboard a
satellite to function within the extremely low temperatures of deep space for extended periods of
time.
The agency's main thrust in developing hypersonic detection and tracking is focused on HBTSS
and the Command and Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) programmes.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) called for USD68 million and USD554.2 million,
respectively, to finance those programmes as part of the MDA's FY 2024 budget plan.
Initiated in 2018 HBTSS is specifically “to address the requirement to detect and track hypersonic
threats” as well as conventional ballistic missiles, according to budget documents. The programme
is scheduled to undergo on-orbit testing and evaluation “to characterize and validate HBTSS
performance” after the system's initial launch in late 2023.
Once initial on-orbit test and evaluation is complete, the system will transition to “daily satellite
operations” under joint command of the MDA and the US Space Force (USSF), the budget
documents stated. “Following the successful demonstration of HBTSS capabilities, the
responsibility for HBTSS operational fielding will be transferred to the US Space Force and the
MDA will continue the development of the next generation of space-based fire-control sensors for
missile defense,” it added.
“You can kind of think of that global capability, HBTSS, tied into the broader tracking area,
bringing the data down through Command and Control Battle Management, the C2BMC system,
and then leveraging the capability of a need-to-ship to take off-board data and fuse that and get to a
fire-control solution,” Vice Admiral John Hill, MDA's director, told reporters on 14 March.
As part of the HBTSS, agency officials are also looking to mature the Space-based Kill Assessment
(SKA) project. A subsystem to the HBTSS, SKA consists of a “network of fast-rate infrared

sensors hosted on commercial satellites to deliver a hit and kill assessment capability” for
conventional and potentially hypersonic weapon threats, MDA officials said.
On C2BMC, MDA officials in FY 2024 will continue to mature the Spiral 8.2-5 variant of the
system “which integrates Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) ... [and] provides initial
situational awareness and tracking capability for hypersonic threats”, budget documents stated.
“C2BMC tasks the sensors to collect threat data with fire control accuracy to support the
appropriate weapon systems in engagement of the threats. The weapon systems develop fire-control
solutions enabling their interceptors to engage and negate the threats. MDA's C2BMC is the all-
domain backbone that enables missile defense system engagements,” they added.
The LRDR capability, coupled with data from the latest variant of the Ballistic Missile Defense
Overhead Persistent Infrared Architecture (BOA), is expected to improve hypersonic weapons
tracking and expand “homeland defence against North Korea and potentially Iranian ballistic
missiles”, according to agency officials.
Aside from new programmes, MDA officials are also pursuing modernisation efforts to enable
legacy missile defence systems to detect and track hypersonic threats. One of the largest
modernisation efforts is a joint US Navy-MDA programme to revamp the sea service's Aegis SPY
radar.
The USS Lake Erie (CG 70), mounting the AN/SPY-1 radar, is shown during an Exercise ‘RIMPAC'. (US Navy)
2008887
The Aegis Baseline 5.4.1 upgrade programme is focused on outfitting current AN/SPY-1 radar
arrays aboard Aegis destroyers with antenna low noise amplifiers (LNAs). That effort will coincide
with the Sea Based Terminal (SBT) Increment 2 capability upgrade for the SPY-1 to integrate
hypersonic threat tracking and reporting capabilities, as well as a retooled threat database
architecture, budget documents stated, adding that “this capability will deliver to 21 Flight I/II
DDGs beginning in FY 2025”.
Aside from joint efforts with the navy, MDA officials are working with their US Army counterparts
to fold in C2BMC into the ground service's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle
Command System “and incorporate hypersonic missile tracking into the Joint Track Management
Capability (JTMC) Bridge”, according to agency officials. JMTC Bridge modernisation, if
successful, will enable integrated, cross-service fire control and mature hypersonic threat
identification and tracking capabilities on the system.

Intercept
The MDA's GPI programme is to eventually field a missile designed to launch from Aegis-
equipped ships and intercept a hypersonic weapon in the glide phase of its flight.
“Today, we do Sea-Based Terminal [phase intercepts] with SM-6 missiles,” Vice Adm Hill said.
“So, the terminal environment is a pretty tough environment and that's the initial layer that's
deployed today that protects our aircraft carriers as they go forward.”
The GPI is intended to strike incoming hypersonic threats in their glide phase “so it gives you a
broader area of defence and makes that terminal phase a little bit easier”, Vice Adm Hill noted.
However, it is many years away from becoming a reality – with a first article not expected until the
early 2030s.
An SM-3 Block IIA interceptor is tested from the Aegis destroyer USS John Finn in 2020 against a representative
ICBM threat. Aegis ships could be the future platform for the counter-hypersonic GPI. (MDA)
1773552
In November 2021 the MDA awarded Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements to three
companies – Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies – for an
accelerated prototype of a sea-launched GPI that could be integrated with the US Navy's (USN's)
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System. In June 2022 the MDA selected Northrop
Grumman and Raytheon to continue developing GPI technology.
Vice Adm Hill said GPI is in a “mission solution analysis phase … and what we're doing during
this phase is determining what technologies do we need and how would we bring that together as a
weapon system that we call the Glide Phase Interceptor, leveraging off of that engage-on-remote
capability.”
The MDA's FY 2024 budget request plans for GPI to have a preliminary design review (PDR) in
FY 2029, critical design review (CDR) in FY 2032, and delivery in FY 2034. It notes that first the
Pentagon must integrate existing and new overhead sensors such as the HBTSS; update existing
BOA to use information from satellites to create tracks on hypersonic threats; modify existing
Aegis SPY radar, fire control, and communications, as well as C2BMC for tracking and warning of
hypersonic threats; and conduct a variety of other systems engineering, prioritisation, and
requirements tasks.

Meanwhile, laser and directed energy defences may prove an alternative means of intercepting
incoming hypersonic weapons. The MDA requested no funding for such laser defences in FY 2024
but participates in Pentagon-led efforts such as the Directed Energy Demonstrator Development
(DEDD) project.
DEDD “develops, integrates, and tests the component technologies required to scale electric lasers
to hundreds of kilowatts” with an eye towards “maturing laser capability to levels sufficient to enter
into the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering High Energy Laser
Road Map efforts”, according to the DoD.
In FY 2023 because of funding added by Congress, the effort is exploring a short pulse laser-
directed energy demo for hypersonic defence (with USD9 million being added by lawmakers). It is
also continuing diode pumped alkali laser development (with USD7 million) to transition this laser
technology out of a national laboratory and into industry development, while also studying “the
potential deployment of laser weapons to augment the layered [missile] defense capability”,
according to budget documents.
Comment
Strides have been made towards defensive technologies for counter-hypersonics, although significant work
remains to be done and an interceptor appears to be at least a decade away. Meanwhile, institutional friction
between the MDA, the SDA, and the USSF has emerged as a potential issue, albeit a somewhat minor one.
A 2022 memorandum of agreement (MOA) – implemented as part of a Unified Command Plan (UCP) by
US President Joe Biden in April 2023 – stated all three agencies would come together under a combined
programme office to address collaboration and co-operation on counter-hypersonics technologies as well as
operations and areas of responsibility.
However, Government Accountability Office auditors in May 2023 questioned whether the MOA would be
sufficient to prevent bureaucratic infighting. “We plan to continue our review of the [MOA] and conduct any
follow-up work to determine if it sufficiently delineates roles and responsibilities for satellite development
and operation in the missile defence and missile warning domains,” auditors said.
In a 30 May statement US Space Command (SPACECOM) said the UCP would transfer “missile defence
responsibilities from the US Strategic Command [STRATCOM] commander to the US Space Command
commander”. It added that “US STRATCOM along with US Northern Command [NORTHCOM] will retain
and continue to perform the Integrated Threat Warning and Attack Assessment missions.” This statement
created confusion by omitting a major element of NORTHCOM's missile defence role.
The actual task of defending the United States against missile attacks rests entirely with NORTHCOM. This
wide-ranging mission is co-ordinated from the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD)/NORTHCOM Command Center, known as the N2C2, at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado
Springs.
Crews there may soon benefit from the new hypersonic weapons detection and tracking sensors, but for
now, rely on an array of sensor and intelligence reporting to tell what is happening in or threatening to North
America. For missiles, a constellation of Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) in geosynchronous orbit
around the Earth's equator or in highly elliptical orbit around the poles, detect any high-heat event.
Sometimes it may be forest fires or a chemical plant explosion, sometimes it is tactical missiles in Syria, and
sometimes an ICBM test-launched by North Korea.

Micro Electronic Devices, Computational

Systems and Cyber Systems
40. Smart forces: Japan and South Korea drive
advances in AI
Japan and South Korea are leveraging their well-established technology profiles to spur
developments in artificial intelligence for defence. Oishee Majumdar reports
The development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) have become priorities for South
Korea and Japan as part of wider efforts to strengthen military capabilities amid rising security
challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Neither South Korea nor Japan has outlined the scope of funding they intend to invest in AI for
defence purposes. However, with such capabilities likely to be supported by advances in civilian
sectors, the defence forces in both countries are expected to benefit from their respective
governments' commitments to invest heavily in commercial AI technologies.
These countries' profiles as two of the world's most modern manufacturing bases is almost certain
to continue to spur defence technology gains over the coming decade.
A spokesperson for South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told
Janes in late May that AI had emerged as a critical component for the next-generation Republic of
Korea (RoK) Armed Forces. “The Republic of Korea acknowledges the significant importance of
AI in the realm of future national defence,” the spokesperson said.
“Diligent efforts are being made to procure a multitude of technologies tailored to specific domains
such as surveillance, reconnaissance, command-and-control (C2), and manned-unmanned systems.
Simultaneously, a range of technological challenges related to autonomous driving, swarm
operations, and the like are currently under way.”
In addition, the spokesperson said DAPA plans to undertake “AI-based upgrades to surveillance
and monitoring systems” and to leverage AI in developing autonomous driving technologies. The
latter would support ground-based personnel through capabilities such as unmanned vehicles.
DAPA also plans to use AI in the naval domain where such technologies are expected to support
the development of unmanned capabilities that undertake operations more safely and efficiently
than crewed resources. “Endeavours encompassing a variety of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs),
unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and other AI-centric systems are in progress to bolster our
military forces, particularly in maritime operations,” the spokesperson added.

The Haegeum-3 (Sea Sword 3) USV, developed by LIG Nex1 under a civil-military joint programme, undergoing sea
trials. The South Korean MND is encouraging the development of ‘AI-centric systems' especially those designed to
support maritime missions. (LIG Nex1)
2010102
A spokesperson for Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) also
acknowledged to Janes that AI is a priority in research and development (R&D) efforts, with plans
to use such technologies to improve information analysis and automation and support C2.
ATLA and DAPA are supported and driven by various government documents that Japan and
South Korea have issued in recent years that identify AI as a priority in supporting defence
technology development efforts. Accordingly, both South Korea's Ministry of National Defense
(MND) and Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) are implementing various initiatives to boost their
respective AI capabilities.
National plans
South Korea
In its 2023–27 defence science and technology plan, which was issued in April, the MND in Seoul
prioritised the development of AI to support the modernisation of the RoK Armed Forces. “In
accordance with the [plan], a diverse array of technological projects are being undertaken,” the
DAPA spokesperson told Janes.
The plan highlights the development of four AI-based technologies that can:
• improve battlefield situational awareness by analysing real-time intelligence gathered from

multiple assets
• support C2 and mission planning by suggesting appropriate responses to battlefield

assessments
• provide ‘smart support' during military operations through visual explanation, sequence
explanation, and context awareness as well as facilitate the transport of ammunition,
personnel, and medical supplies
• collect, manage, and utilise data optimally, ensure a secure network for data distribution, and
enhance machine learning (ML) including hyperparameter optimisation and cloud computing

In addition, DAPA launched in mid-May the Future Challenges Technology Program in

collaboration with the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and
Advancement (KRIT) to assess military technologies developed by local industry. According to
KRIT, some of these technologies include high-endurance USVs, robotic arms for heavy lifting,
technologies to analyse targets, and C2 systems to manage unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
swarms.“The Future Challenges Technology Program has recently gained momentum as a
framework enabling more audacious and unrestricted research, which promises substantial
contributions to the advancement of AI capabilities,” the DAPA spokesperson said. “These
endeavours to acquire such technological prowess not only involve the Agency for Defense
Development (ADD) but also encompass the collaborative participation of various enterprises,
research institutions, and universities.”
South Korea's 2022 defence White Paper, which was released by the MND in February 2023, also
prioritised AI, particularly AI-based autonomous weapon systems. The White Paper has also
established a Defense AI Development Model to steer the application of different levels of AI
technology into military equipment.
According to this model, the first stage of AI-based military equipment is the “remote control
type”, which can be used to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance for coastal security or
multisource video convergence using a group of pictures among other things. The second stage
includes “semi-autonomous” capabilities such as manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) of combat
systems, and the third stage includes “autonomous” hyper-connected combat systems that require
minimum C2 during missions.
An RoK Army unit operating multirotor UAVs. The RoK Army has been experimenting on MUM-T using UAVs and
other unmanned ground assets, as part of efforts by the MND to enhance MUM-T using AI. (Republic of Korea Army)
1768323
The White Paper said the MND is also looking to strengthen the RoK Armed Forces' MUM-T
capabilities using AI and other technologies. The military is also being encouraged to experiment
with MUM-T.
For instance, in July 2022 the 70th Infantry Brigade of the RoK Army's 25th Infantry Division
conducted an exercise operating manned assets alongside unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs),
unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), and reconnaissance UAVs, the White Paper added. It
added that the RoK Navy also plans to trial mine removal operations using UUVs in conjunction
with manned surface minesweepers.
The MND has also fostered R&D efforts to integrate AI for mine countermeasures (MCM). In
March DAPA announced a project to develop an “AI-based automatic mine-detection system using

big data” for rapid implementation. DAPA said the project, which is expected to develop a
prototype by the end of 2025, will develop a system that can convert information obtained from
sensors into big data using deep learning technology to autonomously detect mines.
The White Paper also highlights other measures initiated by the MND to improve MUM-T. These
include identifying “standard core technologies” to be used by industry to develop future unmanned
systems; securing dedicated radio frequencies to manage the growing number of unmanned assets;
ensuring secure and stable communication between unmanned systems; and building an integrated
control system to manage UAVs, including during joint operations.
To support these efforts the MND is also encouraging industry to pursue AI-related R&D.
Programmes highlighted by KRIT in May included a two-year project led by Hanwha Systems –
started in 2022 – to develop battlefield surveillance and another to develop technology to enable
high-resolution image reconstruction based on data from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites.
This latter initiative, which KRIT said will be led by an industry-university partnership, is
scheduled to be complete by 2025.
KRIT has also identified a few longer-term projects to leverage AI. For example, the ADD is
leading projects to develop technologies to enhance South Korea's integrated air-defence system
and to recommend battlefield countermeasures. These are scheduled to be complete by 2028 and
2029, respectively.
KRIT said industry is also undertaking early research on explainable AI (XAI), which enables
human operators to understand and trust the rationale behind the output generated by ML
algorithms. According to the United States' Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA), XAI is expected to “enable third-wave AI systems, where machines understand the
context and environment in which they operate and over time build underlying explanatory models
that allow them to characterise real-world phenomena”.
In addition, the DAPA spokesperson said the “MND is also poised to establish a Defense AI Center
as a governance entity in matters pertaining to AI, intending to accelerate the progress of AI-driven
technological advancements”.
In May the MND also announced that a new Defense AI Center Promotion Team had been set up,
comprising MND personnel and civilian experts including academic professors. “The promotion
team will play a role in specifying the mission and operation plan of the Defense AI Center.
Through this, we plan to create conditions for the Defense AI Center to provide professional and
continuous AI-related technical support to the military,” the MND said.
Japan
The ATLA spokesperson told Janes in May that the agency is engaged in at least three AI research
projects with local industry. These are intended to support the decision making of commanders and
the operation of UAVs and fighter aircraft.
In addition, Japan's 2023 defence budget allocates JPY4.3 billion (USD31 million) to enhance
decision making using AI. The ATLA spokesperson said this technology will assist commanders'
battlefield decisions by assessing information from multiple sources. The project is led by ATLA's

Future Capabilities Development Center, in collaboration with industry. A contract for the project
has not yet been awarded.
Japan Self-Defense Forces amphibious assault vehicles drive down King's Beach in Queensland, Australia, during
Exercise ‘Talisman Sabre 2019', a biennial exercise led by Australia and the US. The Japan MoD plans to conduct
research on AI-based technology that can assess large volumes of data to support battlefield decision making.
(Australian Department of Defence)
2036323
Another AI project in the budget – allocated JPY100 million – will research technology to track
moving targets using a satellite constellation. ATLA's Future Capabilities Development Center
awarded the contract to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in April, with the project scheduled to end
in 2024.
“[Under this project], ATLA will establish a technology to automatically generate a large number
of simulated images for learning from a small number of actual SAR satellite images using AI
technology and conduct research on the application of AI technology to enable rapid, automatic,
and accurate position prediction of multiple moving targets in SAR images,” the spokesperson said.
The technology is intended to expand the range of applications for satellite constellations, the
spokesperson added.
Japan's MoD is also seeking to accelerate the augmentation of MUM-T by leveraging AI. Japan's
National Defense Strategy, released in December 2022 alongside the National Security Strategy
(NSS) and Defense Buildup Program, identified MUM-T as a “game-changer”, enabling Japan to
“gain asymmetrical advantages in the air, sea, and underwater domains”.
“Unmanned assets will be effectively utilised not only for information gathering and surveillance
but also for a wide range of missions including combat support,” the strategy document said.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) will also reinforce its ability to simultaneously control
multiple unmanned assets using technology such as AI, the strategy added. In addition, Japan will
promote initiatives to optimise military equipment “through the mission replacement of manned
assets” to improve automation and labour saving, the strategy said.
The ATLA spokesperson said “remote control technology, AI technology, study of concepts such
as functionality and performance, and flight control technology” are necessary for MUM-T with
airborne assets. For this reason, the MoD has been promoting R&D on related technologies, the
spokesperson added.
“In the area of remote control technology, since FY [fiscal year] 2019 we have been conducting
research with the aim to establish technology for transmitting commands to multiple UAVs,” the

ATLA spokesperson said. “In the area of AI technology, since FY 2018 we have been researching
[the use of] AI in air-to-air combat involving manned aircraft with the aim to improve the decision
making cycle. In FY 2022 we began a conceptual study on UAVs collaborating with manned
aircraft using simulators.”
The spokesperson added that research on flight control technology has been conducted since FY
2019 and will continue until FY 2024 with the aim to enable manned and unmanned aircraft to
perform activities such as formation flights.
The 2022 National Defense Strategy also said that by 2033 Japan will further enhance information
gathering and analysis capabilities by utilising various means including AI. Japan will also enhance
“information gathering assets” and establish a system to share information in real time, the strategy
document added.
Other initiatives
Trained personnel
The development, upgrade, and sustenance of AI-based military capabilities require a skilled
workforce aware of the science behind the technology and adept at its application. Accordingly,
Japan's defence budgets for 2022 and 2023 allocated funding for measures to augment AI human
resources.
These appropriations included JPY300 million for AI education courses for MoD and JSDF
personnel, JPY8 million to appoint external AI experts to “provide practical guidance on AI
training and data analysis”, and JPY40 million to appoint advisors to improve AI policies and
planning.
South Korea has also increased efforts to build a skilled AI workforce. In its recent recruitment
drives, for instance, DAPA has been looking to employ people with AI expertise. In May DAPA
said that in its first round of annual recruitment five people were hired to research AI and big data.
Civil-military integration
The defence ministries of Japan and South Korea have increasingly engaged with industry and
civilian institutions, including academic centres, to enhance AI development.
Japan's 2023 defence budget said the country's shrinking and ageing population had prompted the
MoD to “build a posture where the diversifying duties of the JSDF can be accurately executed by
effectively employing technologies and human resources from the private sectors”. The budget
allocates JPY500 million to employ external AI experts to offer advice for planning the
development and production of AI systems.
Japan's MoD is also promoting the application of new civilian technologies in defence. The 2022
defence budget allocated JPY800 million to adopt commercial technologies such as AI and
augmented reality (AR) to support JSDF operations. The 2022 budget also allocated funding to
strengthen MoD collaboration with think-tanks to enhance assessments of emerging technologies
including AI.

A conceptual image, displayed at DSEI Japan 2023, shows how a UUV and semi-submersible USV developed by IHI
Corporation will co-ordinate with a mother vessel to counter mines. Japanese private companies are being encouraged
and supported by the MoD to conduct R&D on AI-based defence technologies. (IHI)
2036305
South Korea's 2022 defence White Paper also stressed the need to improve co-operation with
industry. “Various efforts are being made to create a class of cutting-edge civilian technologies
including UGVs and UAVs that can have defence applications,” the paper said.
It added that the MND in partnership with the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and
Energy has established a “civil-military drone/robot demonstration test site”, also accessible to
industry, to increase industry-military engagement.
Data management
South Korea and Japan are also giving greater attention to improve the management of data
acquired by AI. During military operations, it is important for defence personnel to have the
required facilities for “scientific decision making based on data such as statistical analysis”, South
Korea's 2022 defence White Paper said.
Soldiers from South Korea's 5th Corps operate a short-range Cheonma surface-to-air missile during training to
counter and destroy enemy small UAVs. The South Korean MND has been taking initiatives to enhance AI and big data
analysis to enable “scientific decision making” by commanders in a battlefield. (Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of
Korea)
2017728
The White Paper said the MND has established a Defense Data Construction Roadmap to boost
“AI learning and big data analysis” and also set up a Defense Data Management Committee to
secure and manage data such as videos and radar signals.

Japan's NSS also said the MoD will establish a mechanism to aggregate military information. The
intelligence and policymaking departments of the MoD will also be urged to co-ordinate more
closely to enhance information management and analysis, the strategy document said. Intelligence
departments, in particular, will use AI to provide “high-value-added analysis” to defence
policymakers, the NSS said.
Collaboration
AI is also at the forefront of Japan and South Korea's bilateral defence technology collaboration
with the US.
In June 2022 David A Honey, US deputy undersecretary of defence for research and engineering,
said “five key technology areas” – the first of which is AI – have been identified by the US
Department of Defense (DoD) for further development in partnership with the South Korean MND.
The ATLA spokesperson said Japan's MoD is also discussing with the DoD the launch of a co-
operative research project to develop autonomous technologies for UAVs that could collaborate
with next-generation fighter aircraft. “Japan has also conducted co-operative research projects
using AI as one of the measures to solve technical challenges with France and Australia,” the
spokesperson said.
The ATLA spokesperson also said that in joint research with France on mine-countermeasure
technologies, AI has been used to identify targets from images obtained by mine detectors.
Similarly, in a project with Australia to research multivehicle autonomy technologies, AI has been
applied to enhance object recognition data and situational awareness.
South Korea's MND has also been pursuing AI-based joint projects with France and Australia.
Outlook
Japan and South Korea are well-established innovation hubs, but the countries' concerted effort to
accelerate AI technologies for defence has gained momentum relatively recently.
“South Korea [like Japan] confronts the predicament of a diminishing population while security
threats, contingent upon the international landscape, persist rather than diminish,” DAPA's
spokesperson told Janes.
“The introduction of AI technology has the potential to provide valuable assistance in preserving
our combat readiness in response to these multifaceted challenges,” the spokesperson added.
For the foreseeable future, Japan and South Korea seem certain to continue and expand their
respective efforts to develop AI for defence applications. Both countries recognise the need to
better equip and transform their defence forces to provide a capability edge on the battlefield.
The number of AI projects undertaken by local industry is also expected to increase as both Japan's
MoD and the South Korean MND attempt to boost civil-military collaboration and expedite the
development of AI technologies.

41. Paris Air Show 2023: MBDA Orchestrike to take

network-enabled weapons ‘to next level'
Author: Gareth Jennings, Paris
MBDA has showcased its new Orchestrike concept for collaborative combat effectors, which the
European missile house said will be far more capable than any network-enabled systems in use
today.
Janes was among the first outlets to be given a demonstration of the Orchestrike concept at the Paris Air Show 2023 on
19 June. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
2048988
Paul Houot, product line executive for tactical strike, said at the Paris Air Show 2023 on 19 June
that the concept will see remote carrier (RC) kinetic and/or electronic warfare (EW) effectors co-
ordinate and collaborate in a way not previously possible.
“This will be the next level of network-enabled weapons,” he said, noting that while today's
network-enabled weapons focused on retargeting and knowing the status of the weapon,
Orchestrike uses connectivity, software architecture, algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI) to
enable RCs and other effectors and their launch aircraft to communicate in real time throughout the
strike mission.
“We use AI with deep reinforcement learning, but we always have the human-in-the-loop. There is
a datalink from the [strike] package to the pilot – connectivity is the key,” Houot said, adding that
the ‘intelligence' is on the weapon itself rather than the aircraft.
“Collaborative effectors are missile systems capable of sharing information about the battlespace as
they approach targets, co-ordinating their actions to overmatch adversaries. Collaboration between
each element of a pack of effectors delivering surface attack is key to overcoming enemy air
defences, enhancing survivability of effectors and increasing efficiency on targets. Packs of
collaborative effectors acting as one will constitute an essential part of the ‘Common Armament
Layer' of future combat air systems,” MBDA said.

According to MBDA, Orchestrike will see remote carrier kinetic and/or electronic warfare effectors co-ordinate and
collaborate in a way not previously possible. (MBDA)
2048983
While the focus of MBDA's briefing was Orchestrike in the context for the Franco-German-
Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS)/Système de Combat Aérien du Futur (SCAF), Houot
said he sees a requirement for the capability before the New Generation Fighter and Next-
Generation Weapon System from that programme. As such, it could be fielded by the Dassault
Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon from about 2030.
MBDA has funded development to date, and is now in discussions with customers to take the
Orchestrike concept forward. While the demonstration was geared towards the air-to-surface
mission, Houot said that MBDA will shortly begin looking at air-to-air applications for the concept
as well.
Comment
Janes was among the first outlets to be given a demonstration of the Orchestrike concept,
witnessing a simulated raid by connected effectors, which include glide and powered missiles and
expendable RCs working closely together. The demonstration highlighted the essential
collaborative functions of pop-up threat avoidance, collaborative targeting, and automatic target
reallocation.
The demonstration also compared in real time the operational benefits brought by a pack of
collaborative effectors against a pack of unconnected effectors.
42. Paris Air Show 2023: Rafael unveils new AI

decision support suite
Author: Olivia Savage, Paris
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) decision support
suite called Puzzle at the Paris Air Show 2023 held from 19 to 25 June.

The ‘Targets' component of Rafael's Advanced Defense Systems Puzzle suite, which presents to the user the date, time,
and priorities of identified targets. (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)
2040504
The Puzzle suite integrates information from diverse sensors to create a comprehensive and filtered
dataset enabled by AI, which processes and analyses large volumes of information to aid the
decision making process. Using this information, the suite can understand the necessary targets and
assign the appropriate effectors, bridging the sensor-to-shooter circuit, Guy Oren, vice-president of
Rafael's intelligence, space, and cyber division, told Janes.
According to Oren, the suite is called Puzzle because it comprises four components. The first
component, known as ‘Imilite', receives visual information such as satellite imagery and is based on
legacy system RecceLite, while the second component, ‘Signal.AI', collects communications and
electronics data. The third component, called ‘Targets', utilises this data and presents the relevant
target information to the user, while the final element, ‘Force', constructs attack plans and assigns
targets to the appropriate effectors.
Puzzle can be integrated into a customer's existing command-and-control systems and is designed
for battalion- and headquarters-level echelons. It can be provided as a collective suite or offered
individually, Oren said.
The company also develops Fire Weaver, a system that similarly fuses weapons and sensors into a
network. Oren acknowledged that there were similarities between the two; however, he stressed
that Puzzle was more suited for high-capacity forces and long-range missions. In addition, the
solution has more advanced intelligence and decision making abilities.
Comment
As the military and its platforms become increasingly digitalised, the level of data produced
increases. Harnessing this data at the speed of relevance is critical for operational effectiveness.
However, achieving this is a key challenge for defence.
The Puzzle suite is relatively similar to Fire Weaver. It is therefore likely that the latter solution
influenced the development of the former. It is unclear why the company believed it necessary to
develop an entirely separate solution rather than scaling Fire Weaver.

43. BSI launches ARMOR for MACE

Author: Giles Ebbutt, Plymouth
Battlespace Simulations Inc (BSI) has developed a visualisation tool using the Unity game engine.
Augmented Reality Mission Observation and Rehearsal (ARMOR) is a Unity-based 3D viewer for
BSI's Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE). BSI describes MACE as “a physics-based, full-
spectrum computer-generated/semi-automated forces (CGF/SAF) application”. ARMOR is now in
use with the Ukrainian armed forces.
Tom Ball, military simulation consultant at BSI, told Janes that ARMOR had started life as a
“simple add-on viewer for MACE”, but it had evolved into a full-scale visualisation system for
multiple use cases. He said it can be run in virtual, augmented, or mixed reality (VR/AR/MR),
screen view, or multichannel modes.
A screenshot of BSI's ARMOR Unity-based 3D viewer for the Modern Air Combat Environment showing radar beam
shape, scan pattern, and threat zones in a ground attack scenario. (BSI)
2040518
Ball added that all these can be used for different use cases. For example, for mission planning,
observation, and debrief, it “can provide an immersive ‘God's eye' view combined with
informationally dense analysis and detail where it is needed, such as data labels, trails, threat zones,
weapon engagement zones, dynamic route risk versus threat, radar beams, and jamming effects”.
Ball said aircraft mission planning tools have very limited visualisation for rehearsal and
sometimes very limited analysis. Using MACE's route analysis capability, which he said was
originally built for the US special operations community, route plans can be exported from mission
planning software and ingested into MACE and ARMOR for analysis.
MACE's representation of fifth-generation threats versus aircraft of different radar cross-sections

enables users to adjust routes and see a visual representation of the risk of detection and
engagement, as well as being able to fly the routes at 1:1 scale for rehearsal before uploading the
new route back into aircraft systems.

Other use cases include enhanced platform role players inside cockpits, cabs and turrets, and first-
person human players such as joint terminal attack controllers.
MACE is already integrated with existing image generators (IG) using the Distributed Interactive
Simulation (DIS) and Common Image Generator Interface (CIGI) standards, Ball said. However,
he noted that the convergence of increasingly capable game engines with widely available
geographic information system (GIS) data presents an opportunity when combined with high-
fidelity battlespace simulation software.
Ball said a game engine offers advantages in two areas. First, Unity “has reached very visually
capable maturity for defence applications. It has a massive developer community and a lot of
available expertise that we have been able to tap into… It also has a huge existing content and asset
catalogue that can be built upon easily”.
Second, “it provides control over the price and development road map. ARMOR is free with
MACE … [and] we can develop content and features that our customers want without being subject
to someone else's road map, timeline, or charged extra for development costs”.
Ball added that low costs and the rapid pace of development were principal reasons for BSI's
commitment to Unity.
MACE is built on an enterprise-level GIS core, reading common GIS formats, and is not limited to
proprietary formats. Users can generate ARMOR 3D terrain for anywhere in the world from the
core datasets used in MACE or with their own data.
Ball noted that MACE and ARMOR are used by a large customer base for a diverse set of use
cases, including electronic warfare (EW) training, aircraft survivability analysis, and mission
rehearsal. Leveraging these capabilities, members of both the Ukrainian Air Force and the
Ukrainian State Border Guard Service were trained in January 2023. “They can now use
MACE/ARMOR for EW planning, operational analysis, and mission rehearsal in the presence of
accurately modelled fifth-generation threat systems in correlated local terrain.”
Comment
The use of game engines in military simulation is increasing. For example, SimCentric's SAF-TAC
VR system uses the Epic Games Unreal Engine, and in late 2022 Thales announced an agreement
with Epic to use Unreal in future simulations. There has been huge and continuing investment by
gaming companies in their technology, so it is an attractive option for resource-restricted defence
programmes.

Missiles & Strategic Systems
44. Germany to procure Arrow, IRIS-T air-defence

systems
Author: Nicholas Fiorenza, London
The budget committee of the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, on 14 June approved the
procurement of six IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium Range) ground-based air defence
(GBAD) systems and the Arrow Weapon System (AWS), including missiles.
The Bundestag's budget committee on 14 June approved the procurement of the Arrow Weapon System and Arrow 3
missiles for the Bundeswehr. (IAI)
2041087
Germany plans to sign a letter of commitment with the Israeli government by the end of 2023 on
the procurement of the AWS and Arrow 3 missiles, with a planned initial operational capability by
the fourth quarter of 2025, the German Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on its website on 15 June.
This will require the Israeli government to make advance payments and commission the building of
production capacity “in a timely manner”, speeding up the procurement process by six months,
according to the German MoD.
The Arrow procurement is aimed at filling Germany's capability gap in territorial missile defence of
its population and critical infrastructure. It will strengthen NATO air-defence capabilities,
according to the German MoD, which noted that the AWS consists of a command-and-control post,
radar systems, launchers, and missiles and is capable of detecting and intercepting ballistic missiles
and destroying them outside the Earth's atmosphere with a hit-to-kill capability.
The German MoD said IRIS-T is combat proven in Ukraine, where it is used to defend the civilian
population and infrastructure from Russian air attacks. The Bundeswehr is training Ukrainian
military personnel on the system in Germany.
The Bundestag budget committee approved spending up to EUR950 million (over USD1 billion) of
the EUR100 billion Zeitenwende special fund approved after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on
IRIS-T, including missiles, qualification, and certification, with deliveries of the system beginning
in 2024.

The German MoD noted that IRIS-T provides short-range GBAD against targets including
unmanned aerial vehicles, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and cruise missiles. It has a range of 40
km against missiles, which it can engage at a height of up to 20 km, according to the German MoD,
which said an IRIS-T system consists of a command post, a radar, several launchers, and
maintenance and loader vehicles.
Analysis
The Arrow 3 is a two-stage exoatmospheric interceptor that is designed to intercept longer-range

ballistic missiles in space at a maximum range of 148 km and an estimated altitude of up to 100 km
by deploying a kill vehicle that can manoeuvre so it collides with an approaching threat and destroy
it through kinetic energy, according to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence.
The vertically launched IRIS-T SLM has a range of 40 km and uses radar-derived target data
continuously transmitted to the missile via datalink, with which its imaging infrared seeker then
points towards and acquires the target and steers the missile to interception.
IRIS-T will provide the lower tier and Arrow the upper tier of Germany's air defences, with the
Luftwaffe's Patriot medium-range air-defence system providing the middle tier.
Although the German MoD did not give the value of the AWS and Arrow 3 procurement, it will be
financed by the Zeitenwende special fund, according to German media.
45. BEL receives order for Akash Prime weapons

India's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has received an order worth INR39.14 billion (USD477
million) from missile manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to supply two improved
Akash weapon systems for the Indian Army, BEL announced on 20 June.
Akash Prime – seen here on its flight test in September 2021 – has a maximum firing range of 30 km and can hit targets
at a maximum elevation of 18 km. (Ministry of Defence, India)
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According to BEL, the improved Akash system – also known as Akash Prime – comprises an
“indigenously developed” active radio frequency seeker and 360° engagement capability.It also
consists of a long-range surveillance radar, a target and missile tracking radar, a troop control
centre, and launchers.

The Akash Prime is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SRSAM) air-defence system designed and
developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
On producing the Akash Prime, the DRDO is partnered with BDL, which is responsible for
producing the missiles, while BEL produces the system's radars, control centres, simulators,
associated vehicles, and software.
A DRDO official told Janes that the Akash Prime can engage with multiple threats at a higher
altitude compared with the baseline Akash. The maximum firing range and altitude of the improved
system are 30 and 18 km, respectively, the official added.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth INR81.6 billion with BDL in late
March to procure two Akash Prime weapon systems for the 3rd and 4th regiments of the Indian
Army's Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD).
The AAD raised the first two Akash regiments between 2008 and 2010. The Defence Acquisition
Council (DAC) approved the procurement of two Akash Prime systems in 2018.
The MoD said the two regiments with the Akash Prime systems will be deployed on the northern
borders to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
In service with the Indian Army, the baseline Akash and Akash Prime will replace the service's
Russian Kub (SA-6 Gainful) SAM systems.
Comment
China has been increasing its presence along the line of actual control (LAC) since 2020 by deploying
various missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and fighter jets.
To counter China's aerial threats along the LAC, the Indian Army is procuring various short- and
intermediate-range air-defence systems.
The Akash systems will provide short-range air-defence capability to the Indian Army. The DRDO is also
developing a Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System (QRSAM) for the Indian Army to intercept
targets at shorter ranges.
For intermediate-range air defence, India ordered five S-400 Triumf self-propelled SAM systems from
Russia in 2018 with three already delivered and deployed.
In late February the Indian Army also raised a Medium-Range SAM (MRSAM) regiment – the domestic
variant of the Israeli-developed Barak-8 SAM system – along the country's eastern border.
With MRSAM, the army seeks to counter China's J-11 fighter jets, UAVs such as the medium-altitude long-
endurance (MALE) Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co Ltd (ALIT)/China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4 and CH-5, and Hong Niao series of cruise missiles.
For long-range interceptions, India is developing a ballistic missile defence (BMD) system comprising
missiles such as Prithvi Air Defence (PAD), Advanced Air Defence (AAD), Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV),
and AD-1 and AD-2 interceptors.

46. South Korea completes environmental assessment

of THAAD base
South Korea's Ministry of Environment (MoE) has completed an environmental impact assessment
(EIA) of the US Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system temporarily
deployed at the US military base in Seongju – nearly 215 km southeast of Seoul.
South Korea approved the deployment of the THAAD system at Seongju base. The picture shows a THAAD interceptor
launching from the Republic of the Marshall Islands during a flight test in 2019. (US Missile Defense Agency)
1749177
According to a press release by South Korea's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on 21 June, the
MoE and the MND approved the full-fledged deployment of THAAD at Seongju base.
“As the MoE and the MND have completed the environmental impact assessment of Seongju base
in co-operation, we will closely co-operate with the US to faithfully reflect the consultation
opinions and proceed with the [THAAD deployment] project,” the MND said.
In July 2016 South Korea and the US agreed to deploy the US Army's THAAD system in South
Korea to counter the growing threat posed by North Korea's military provocations.
In early March 2017 the first elements of the THAAD battery began arriving in South Korea with
two truck-mounted launchers deployed at Seongju.
However, the deployment of the launchers became controversial after then South Korean President
Moon Jae-in accused the MND of having “intentionally” failed to report THAAD's arrival in the
country.
There were also concerns that an EIA of the system was not conducted. In September 2017 the
MoE in Seoul gave its consent for the temporary deployment of the launchers after conducting a
small-scale assessment.
The locals also feared high electromagnetic wave (EMW) exposure from the THAAD base after
which the MoE initiated a full-scale EIA.
The EIA report said the maximum amount of EMWs produced from the THAAD base is just 0.2%
of legal safety protection standards. The MND said, “The effect [of EMWs from the THAAD base]
on the human body and the surrounding environment is insignificant.”

Comment
The THAAD system is a land-based, hit-to-kill ballistic missile defence system designed by
Lockheed Martin. The system is intended to intercept short-, medium-, and intermediate-range
ballistic missiles during their terminal flight phase.
The battery of the weapon is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles out to 200 km and as
high as 150 km.
The THAAD system operates using the AN/TPY-2 radar to detect threats such as ballistic missile
launches and flights at ranges of up to 1,000 km.
47. Paris Air Show 2023: Rafael launches new

air-to-air missile
Author: Olivia Savage, Paris; William Carboni Jardim, London
Rafael unveiled its Sky Spear ‘sixth-generation' air-to-air missile at the Paris Air Show 2023, held
from 19 to 25 June.
Rafael unveiled its Sky Spear missile (bottom) at the Paris Air Show 2023, describing it as a sixth-generation long-
range air-to-air missile. (Janes/Olivia Savage)
2045189
Speaking to Janes, Yaniv Rotem, business development director for Rafael's air-defence systems
and air-to-air directorate, said that the missile has very long-range interception capabilities and a
new sophisticated radio frequency (RF) seeker that can handle airborne and ground-based jamming.
The Sky Spear is suited for both long-range and short-range engagements because of its high
manoeuvrability and this reduces the number of missile types required for the aircraft, Rotem said.
The missile is in the “pre-full-scale development (FSD) phase” and is currently at a low technology
readiness level (TRL). The company is therefore searching for a governmental partner to progress
its development, Rotem added.
According to Rafael, the Sky Spear can be adapted to fit on any aircraft, including the F-35, and is
powered by a three-pulse rocket motor that enables the missile to manage its kinetic energy in an

optimal way. It also has a dual datalink that enables the two-way transfer of data between the
missile and pilot, Rotem said.
Comment
Janes understands the weapon exceeds the range of the company's I-Derby extended-range (ER)
missile, which is reported to have a maximum range of at least 100 km. The AIM-120D Advanced
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is estimated to have a maximum range of 160 km,
while MBDA's Meteor reportedly can reach 200 km. Considering this, Rafael is likely to seek an
equivalent range, perhaps somewhere between 160 and 200 km.
The ability to use both beyond visual range (BVR) and within visual range (WVR) envelopes is
quite the claim, although it is in line with Rafael's earlier Derby missile, which was similarly
designed from the outset to be capable of both roles. While the Sky Spear does have actuators
behind the radomes, a trait more commonly seen on shorter-range missiles, they are of a smaller
size when compared with the Derby's. This may impact the weapon's manoeuvrability in WVR
engagements. Including a thrust vector control mechanism as featured on Raytheon's AIM-9X
Sidewinder and Diehl Defence's IRIS-T medium-range homing missile could be one approach to
mitigating this. However, Sky Spear's three-pulse motor design may prohibit its inclusion.
Alternatively, the weapon may use the missile's body to achieve aerodynamic lift in order to create
high manoeuvrability, as is the case with MBDA's Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
48. Raytheon conducts flight test of short-range

air-defence system
Raytheon Australia has conducted a flight test of a short-range ground-based air-defence
(SRGBAD) system at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, the company said in a press
release on 20 June.
Raytheon Australia has conducted a flight test of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System at the Woomera
Test Range in South Australia. The above picture shows NASAMS from a live-fire exercise in the US. (Kongsberg)
1717647
According to Raytheon, the “successful” flight test demonstrated the SRGBAD system's “accuracy
and capability” to detect, track, and engage with targets.

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) is procuring an SRGBAD system under Project Land
19 Phase 7B.
The project achieved first pass government approval in February 2017. In April 2017 Raytheon was
appointed as the sole contractor to develop the SRGBAD system.
Raytheon collaborated with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) to develop an

‘Australianised' version of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) in
order to meet the SRGBAD requirement.
The project achieved second pass government approval in February 2019 and the DoD signed a
contract worth AUD2.5 billion (USD1.7 billion) with Raytheon Australia in March 2019 to procure
NASAMS.
The project includes the acquisition of radars, missile launchers, and command-and-control
systems, as well as integration with existing army vehicles and radios.
Comment
Project Land 19 Phase 7B will deliver the land component of Australia's Joint Integrated Air and
Missile Defence (JIAMD) capability.
NASAMS – which will be operated by the Australian Army's 16th Regiment, Royal Australian
Artillery – will replace the regiment's existing system that consists of a combination of the Saab
RBS-70 very-short-range manportable air-defence missile system and the Lockheed Martin
PSTAR-ER radar.
49. Modern Day Marine 2023: Iron Dome-based

capability to be delivered in 2026
Author: Meredith Roaten, Washington, DC
The US Marine Corps (USMC) is on track to field one anti-cruise missile weapon per ground air-
defence battalion starting in 2026, a ground-based air defence official said at the Modern Day
Marine 2023 event in Washington, DC, on 28 June.
The Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) – which the service approved to continue
development in December 2022 – will go through a quick reaction assessment prototype in
September, said Don Kelley, USMC's Program Executive Officer Land Systems (PEO LS). The
PEO then intends to request a rapid fielding authority to field one weapon system, starting in 2026
and then adding one missile system per year until there are systems for the three Low Altitude Air
Defense (LAAD) Battalions.
The MRIC uses the Iron Dome launcher mounted on the back of a Tamir missiles trailer, the
Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S), and a mini battle management control

(BMC). The service has narrowed down the capability to four laptops and two server stacks to
become lighter and “more expeditionary”.
“We will have four launchers, and then the server stacks with the laptops, along with the G/ATOR
[Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar],” Kelley said. “We're going to train some marines to operate it”
during the quick assessment.
Kelley said there are some “fixes” the USMC is making on the software for the MRIC based on the
three tests in 2022. The system integration lab will start testing in September or October to verify
the upgrades.
The PEO would have to wait for some equipment to arrive, he noted.
“As you can imagine, we're dealing with supply chain issues because of some of the electronics, but
we're on track to go make that happen,” Kelley added.
Comment
The system also uses the AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR for surveillance and fire control. Northrop
Grumman has entered full-rate production of the systems and announced earlier in June that the
deliveries for 2024 would include a performance upgrade that “increases the range of the current
system [and] enhances cruise missile defence capability”.

Naval Systems and Materials
50. First Type 31 integrated combat system readies for

FAT in Q3
The first Type 31 integrated combat system is on course to undergo factory acceptance testing
(FAT) in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, Thales has confirmed.
The UK Royal Navy's Type 31 frigates are being equipped with the TACTICOS Baseline 2 combat management system.
(NAVYPIX/Richard Scott)
1723767
Speaking to media at Thales UK's facilities in Templecombe, UK, Julie Martin, naval senior
account director, said that delivery of the first Type 31 mission system was on schedule.
“The key focus for us right now on the Type 31 is the fully integrated combat system FAT, which
we've got coming up in late September this year,” she said. “We've got a number of FATs for
individual equipments and individual subsystems in the run up to that – all of which are goingto
plan and on schedule at the moment,” she added.
UK shipbuilder Babcock is delivering five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, based on the

Arrowhead 140 design, for the Royal Navy (RN) under a GBP1.25 billion (USD1.59 billion)
contract awarded in November 2019.
Thales, under subcontract to Babcock, is responsible for the delivery and integration of the full
Type 31 mission system, which comprises the combat system, integrated communication system
(ICS), and integrated bridge and navigation system (IBNS). Thales' scope of supply includes a
version of its TACTICOS Baseline 2 combat management system (CMS), its NS100 E/F-band
dual-axis multibeam surveillance radar, the Gatekeeper panoramic electro-optical surveillance
system, Mirador Mk 2 electro-optical surveillance/fire control directors, the TopLink tactical
datalink processor, and the ICS. The IBNS is being provided by Anschütz.
“At the moment, at the Thales facility in Hengelo, in the Netherlands, we're doing factory
acceptance tests of the hardware for the combat system and some other items,” Martin said.

The complete CMS hardware package for Type 31 comprises 11 MOC Mk 4 multifunction
operator consoles (one additional MOC Mk 4 console will be fitted on the bridge) plus nine
electronics cabinets.
Meanwhile, in February the first Thales NS11 surveillance radar to be installed on the Type 31
frigate passed its FATs and a number of other sensors also completed testing earlier in the year,
Martin added.
Elizabeth Baker, Thales UK's business development director – export, highlighted the importance
of keeping to schedule for the Type 31 mission system delivery programme against the backdrop of
the TACTICOS being a new CMS product line for the RN. The RN has earlier relied on BAE
Systems Maritime – Naval Ships as its key CMS supplier.
“It was a big step for the Royal Navy to step away from a CMS they were used to, but it's a very
open architecture system so they will benefit strongly from the flexibility that will give them in the
long run,” Baker said. “It's a very mature system – in service with 52 navies around the world – so
the RN is benefitting from all of that.”
For the Polish Navy's Miecznik (Swordfish)-class frigate programme, which is also based on a
variant of the Arrowhead 140 design, Thales is supplying a more capable version of its TACTICOS
mission system – which Baker said the UK will be able to benefit from in the future.
“The Polish are buying additional radar capabilities; the weapons provision will be stronger. And
the reason why that's helpful for us in the UK is that it means that on that platform there will be a
de-risked set of additional capabilities that already work with the Type 31 vessel that already
worked with the TACTICOS combat management system. So, the Royal Navy will have some
options [for future vessels] that have been de-risked through the export market.”
Under current planning, construction of the first Miecznik (Swordfish)-class frigate is scheduled to
begin in August 2023.
Meanwhile, the UK's lead Type 31 frigate, Venturer, which started construction at Babcock's
shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland, in September 2021, is gearing up to be launched later in 2023.
Comment
As part of the Type 31 programme, Thales is also supplying a sixth TACTICOS shipset, which will
be installed at a new Shore Integration Facility (SIF) at the Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) near
Portsmouth. The SIF will ensure the mission systems and equipment can be safely and effectively
used by RN personnel on board the Type 31 vessels. Thales will supply the sixth shipset and
commission the SIF under a GBP70 million (USD88.4 million) contract awarded in May.

51. Taiwan commissions first locally built amphibious

assault ship
Taiwanese navy soldiers walk by Yushan during its handover ceremony in Kaohsiung City on 30 September 2022. The
ship was commissioned on 19 June 2023. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)
2001566
The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) has commissioned its first locally built landing platform dock
(LPD)-like amphibious assault ship.
The vessel, ROCS Yushan, was commissioned on 19 June at a ceremony in Kaohsiung City;
various Taiwanese media outlets reported on the same day with images from the event. Neither the
RoCN nor the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense had responded to queries from Janes at the
time of publication.
Yushan was ordered from Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC Corporation under a TWD4.635 billion
(USD150.46 million) contract signed in April 2018. The contract to build the vessel was awarded
to CSBC in April 2018, and it was launched by the shipbuilder in April 2021.
The vessel has an overall length of 153 m, an overall beam of 23 m, and a standard displacement of
about 10,000 tonnes.
Yushan is armed with a 76 mm naval gun in the primary position. Short-range defence against
hostile aircraft and precision-guided munitions are provided by two Raytheon Mk 15 Phalanx
close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets, and one of each is located in the fore and aft sections. For
point defence, the ship is armed with 12.7 mm machine guns.
It can accommodate a crew complement of 190 and will be capable of transporting up to 250
marines and 233 additional fully armed troops. The vessel will also be capable of carrying up to
four 16 m-long landing craft mechanised (LCM) vessels, or up to two 36 m-long landing craft
utility (LCU) vessels in its well dock.
In addition, the vessel can accommodate one Sikorsky S-70C helicopter on its flight deck.

Comment
Yushan is expected to undergo an evaluation programme over the next few years. Information
gathered from this anticipated evaluation will likely be used to design subsequent vessels in the
class. Taiwan is believed to have a requirement for at least four of such vessels.
52. Singapore's Type 218SG submarine begins journey

home
Singapore's first Type 218SG submarine seen here during its sea trials in 2020. The second-of-class has begun its
journey home to Singapore from Germany. (Michael Nitz/Naval Press Service)
1750106
A Type 218SG diesel-electric submarine (SSK) destined for service with the Republic of Singapore
Navy (RSN) has begun its journey home and is expected to arrive in-country by August 2023.
Janes has learnt that the vessel, which will be in service as RSS Impeccable once commissioned,
was loaded onto the heavy-lift cargo ship Rolldock Storm in May 2023 at ThyssenKrupp Marine
Systems' (TKMS') facility in Kiel, Germany.
Rolldock Storm is now on passage along the western seaboard of Southern Africa and is projected
to arrive in Singapore around 1 August.
Impeccable is one of four Type 218SG SSKs ordered under two separate contracts signed between
TKMS and the Singaporean government in 2013 and 2017.
The first-of-class, Invincible, was launched in February 2019 while Impeccable was launched in
December 2022 with the third-of-class, Illustrious.
The Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) declined to comment on Impeccable's passage

home. However, Janes understands that the boat is being delivered ahead of the first-of-class as a
result of Covid-19-related delays, which have affected the programme's build schedule.

The Invincible class has maximum speeds in excess of 15 kt when surfaced and 10 kt when dived.
With an overall length of 70 m and a pressure hull diameter of 6.3 m, the submarine displaces
2,200 tonnes when submerged and 2,000 tonnes when surfaced. Each SSK is armed with eight
tubes.
The class features an X-shaped stern rudder for enhanced manoeuvrability in shallow littoral
waters, and customised operator consoles that have been designed to suit the ergonomics of RSN
personnel.
MINDEF has not disclosed the class' specific weapon systems. However, past statements from the
ministry indicate that the vessels have been designed for operations in shallow, tropical waters. The
SSKs will also possess longer endurance when compared with Singapore's older submarines and
can carry higher payloads, the ministry has said.
The Invincible-class SSKs will progressively replace the RSN's Archer and Challenger classes of
submarines over the next few years.
Comment
Although the Type 218SG SSKs are larger than the Archer and Challenger classes, the newer boats
will accommodate the same number of crew members as the older vessels.
As with the newer vessels, the RSN has deliberately designed the Type 218SG to feature a high
level of automation, which includes artificial intelligence-driven systems, so as to overcome
manpower challenges facing the service.
53. Turkey's first Istanbul-class frigate starts sea trials

The Turkish Navy's first Istanbul (TF-100)-class frigate started sea acceptance trials on 20 June –
marking another milestone for the programme, the Turkish Ministry of Defence has announced.
The Turkish Navy's first Istanbul-class frigate is pictured before its departure on initial sea trials on 20 June. (Turkish
MoD)
2048559

The future TCG Istanbul was laid down at Istanbul Naval Shipyard in 2017 and launched in 2021.
It is the first of four planned frigates in the class, which are planned to enter service by 2026.
The three follow-on ships are being built concurrently at Sefine, Anadolu, and Sedef shipyards
(operating as part of the TAIS consortium) in collaboration with STM under a contract signed with
Presidency of Turkish Defense Industry (SSB) on 6 April 2023.
A steel-cutting ceremony for all three ships was staged at Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul, on 11
April. Under the terms of the contract, the follow-on ships – which are to be named TCG Izmir (F
516), TCG Izmit (F 517), and TCG Içel (F 518) – will be delivered to the Turkish Navy within 36
months.
The Istanbul class – also known as the MILGEM II and I/Istif-class – is an evolution of the Turkish
Navy's Ada (MILGEM 1)-class corvettes, which entered service between 2011 and 2019. Prime
contractor STM is responsible for the frigate design, weapons, electronics, and main propulsion
systems under a contract signed with SSB in 2019.
The frigate design is based on the Ada-class hull but lengthened by 14 m to enable the inclusion of
a vertical launching system (VLS), additional anti-ship missiles, and increased fuel capacity.
The majority of the armament and sensor fit has been indigenously developed and includes the
Gökdeniz close-in weapon system; Cenk-S 3D search radar; Scorpion fire-control radar,
illuminating radar, and torpedo tube; MİDLAS National Vertical Launch System; Hisar-D air-
defence missiles; Hizir torpedo countermeasure system; and Atmaca guided anti-ship missiles.
The Istanbul class has a full load displacement of 2,955 tonnes, an overall length of 113.2 m, a top
speed of 29 kt and a standard range of 6,000 n miles at 12 kt. The ships will carry a crew
complement of 125.
Comment
Following the completion of sea trials, Istanbul is scheduled to enter service in the last quarter of
2023.

54. Singapore validates anti-air capabilities of littoral

mission vessel
The Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel, RSS Fearless. Its sister vessel, RSS Dauntless, has carried out the
class' inaugural firing of the VL MICA anti-air missile at Exercise ‘Pacific Griffin' 2023. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)
1750134
A Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Independence-class littoral mission vessel (LMV) has fired
an MBDA VL MICA missile for the first time, validating the vessel's anti-air capabilities.
Janes understands that the inaugural firing was conducted during the US Navy (USN)-hosted
Exercise ‘Pacific Griffin', which is taking place in and around waters off Guam between 16 and 29
June.
The vessel that fired the missile was RSS Dauntless, the seventh-of-class that was commissioned
by the RSN in January 2020. The missile was deployed against a simulated aerial threat that was
launched by the USN.
The RSN operates a class of eight corvette-like LMVs and these were commissioned between May
2017 and January 2020 to replace the service's Fearless-class patrol boats. Each LMV is armed with
12 vertical launching system (VLS) cells in the forward section and each of these can launch either
the active radar or infrared homing variant of the VL MICA missile.
The LMV has an overall length of 80 m, displaces about 1,250 tonnes at full load, and can
accommodate a crew complement of 23 including five officers.
Besides anti-air missiles, the Independence class is also armed with one Oto Melara 76/62 Super
Rapid naval gun in the primary position, two Leonardo Hitrole remote weapon stations that have
each been incorporated with 12.7 mm machine guns, and an aft-facing Rafael Typhoon turret
mounted with a M242 25 mm/87 Bushmaster cannon.
The 2023 iteration of ‘Pacific Griffin' is the fourth instance of bilateral exercises that have been
conducted by the RSN and the USN since 2017. The biennial activity is an extension of the USN's
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series of naval engagements that have been
partaken in by the two navies since 1995.

Also participating in ‘Pacific Griffin' is an RSN Formidable-class frigate, RSS Tenacious. The
Singaporean warships are accompanied by the USN's Independence-variant littoral combat ship
USS Manchester, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh, and dry cargo ammunition
ship USNS Cesar Chavez.
Besides anti-air operations, the drills also include anti-submarine warfare serials, replenishment at
sea (RAS) exercises, and combined gunnery manoeuvres.
Comment
Since it was first conducted in 2017, ‘Pacific Griffin' has evolved to be one of the most important
exercises on the RSN's calendar. The country is a small island state and its sea lines of
communications (SLOCs) run along relatively congested bodies of water such as the Malacca Strait
and the South China Sea. The Singapore Strait itself sees the presence of about 1,000 vessels daily.
The RSN lacks access to expansive waters in which it can develop competencies with weapons that
have longer ranges and hone combat manoeuvres that require vast, open spaces.
Besides naval weapons, ‘Pacific Griffin' has also played a part in developing better sea-air
integration capabilities within the Singapore Armed Forces. At the 2021 iteration of the exercise,
Tenacious and its sister ship RSS Stalwart carried out a co-ordinated firing of the Harpoon missile
against an over-the-horizon surface objective with targeting data relayed over by the Republic of
Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) F-15SG fighters deployed in Guam. Such levels of sea-air
integration between the RSN and the RSAF would not have been possible without access to
exercise areas like these.
55. Damen and Thales awarded contracts for new

Dutch and Belgian ASW frigates
The Dutch Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) signed a contract with Damen for the design,
build, and delivery of four anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates for the Netherlands and Belgian
navies on 29 June.
Artist impression of ASW frigates. (Damen Naval)

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At the same time, COMMIT signed a separate contract with Thales to equip the ships with its
Above Water Warfare System (AWWS) fire control cluster and sensor suite.
Under their joint ASW Frigate (ASWF) programme, the Belgian and Dutch navies are procuring
two ships each to replace their respective Karel Doorman (M)-class frigates. While the new ships
are classed as ASW frigates, reflecting their primary role, they will also be equipped with anti-
surface warfare (ASuW) and anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities.
The hulls will be built at Damen's shipyard in Galați, Romania, then moved to its facilities in
Vlissingen, in the Netherlands, for outfitting and integration of the weapon systems. The first ship
is planned to be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) in 2029, while the Belgian Navy
will receive its first ship in 2030. All four ships will be delivered by 2031.
With a full load displacement of around 6,400 tonnes, the ships will have an overall length of 145
m, an 18 m beam, and a draught of 5.5 m. They will carry a crew complement of 117, with spare
berths for 35 additional personnel. The ships will be equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric
propulsion arrangement.
In addition to Thales' AWWS, the ships' sensor suite will include an under water warfare suite
(UWWS) and underwater decoys. Armament will include one 76 mm gun capable of firing DART
guided ammunition, Mk 54 torpedoes, Rolling Airframe Missiles, Naval Strike Missiles, and
Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 2 missiles.
The ships will be able to embark one NH90 helicopter and will also be able to deploy unmanned
air, surface, and underwater vehicles.
For its part, Thales' AWWS contract, which the company said was worth “several hundred million
euros”, marks the second production order for the AWWS fire control cluster, which will also
equip Germany's Type 126 frigates under a 2020 agreement. According to Thales, this common fire
control cluster in three West European navies will facilitate international co-operation in operations
and logistics.
The AWWS solution has been developed under an engineering and manufacturing development
(EMD) contract awarded to Thales by COMMIT in December 2018. It combines an advanced fire-
control suite with a new sensor suite that integrates the Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) Block
2 X-band radar and the SM400 Block 2 S-band radar into one-radar system that is able to
reconfigure its tasks dynamically.
Thales' scope of supply will also include the Mirador Mk 2 electro-optical tracking and surveillance
system, the Gatekeeper Mk2 infrared/TV panoramic surveillance system, the Scout Mk 3 low
detectability naval surveillance radar, and an extensive logistic support package.
Speaking to media following the contract signing on 29 June, Gerben Edelijn, CEO of Thales
Nederland, said the AWWS fire-control solution and sensor suite has been designed to address an
increasingly complex and challenging above-water multidimensional threat set.

“The threats for navy warships are developing very rapidly. You have hypersonic missiles
nowadays, you have swarm attacks, you have all kinds of different modes of the missiles that make
the need to defend your warfare ship much more important,” Edelijn said.
“The combined radar suite operating in two different bands gives you the advantage that you have a
better coverage of the total area around the ship. So you can see both sea skimming missiles
coming in just above the sea level, as well as high diver missiles coming in from right above you
and at all kinds of all different distances,” he added.
The AWWS fire control cluster is equipped with intelligent software and sensors that are able to
continuously calculate which actions are best suited to counter each threat detected by the radar and
other sensors. “That makes it possible to really defend yourselves in the most economical way. You
don't want to shoot a very expensive missile on a low-value drone, for example. So this system is
continuously evaluating how to counter attack the threats there are and therefore can make sure that
the survivability of the total platform is the highest.”
With contracts now secured to supply the AWWS solution to ships from three navies, Edelijn said
the company would be actively promoting it to other countries for export.
“There are a number – mainly West European navies – that will make similar requests in the
coming years. So we are also aiming to push this system for their navies as well,” he said.
Comment
The construction of the ASW frigates, led by the Netherlands, forms part of a co-operative
agreement that dates back to 2016 between Belgium and the Netherlands for the replacement of
their major surface combatants and mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs). As part of the
agreement Belgium is leading the effort to replace the two countries' Tripartite-class minehunters
with a new series of 12 new-generation MCMVs (six for each navy), each equipped with an MCM
‘toolbox' totalling around 100 unmanned or autonomous systems.
Damen delivered an original class of eight Karel Doorman M-class frigates to the RNLN between
1991 and 1995 – six of which have been decommissioned and sold to other countries (including the
two to Belgium). The two sold to Belgium, Leopold I (ex- Karel Doorman) and Louise-Marie (ex-
Willem Van Der Zaan), entered service with the RNLN in 1991, and following their
decommissioning were transferred and recommissioned into the Belgian Navy in 2007 and 2008,
respectively. The RNLN's two remaining M-class frigates, Van Amstel (F 831) and Van Speijk (F
828), entered service in 1993 and 1995.

General
56. Artillery duel: Ukraine and Russia deploy broad

array of guns and rockets
Author: Nicholas Fiorenza, London Sunil Nair, Bangalore
Artillery is playing an important role in the Ukrainian counterattack against Russia, with the
opposing sides armed with Russian and legacy Soviet guns and rocket launchers and Kyiv
increasingly equipped with systems donated by the West. Nicholas Fiorenza and Sunil Nair
report on both sides' fires capabilities
During the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has been firing at least 30,000 artillery rounds a day and as
many as 70,000, compared to Ukraine's 5,000, according to speakers at Defence iQ's Future
Artillery 2023 conference held in Munich from 30 May to 1 June. They estimated that the
Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled howitzer (SPH) and CAESAR 6×6 SPH have fired
4,000 and 5,000 rounds, respectively, since arriving in Ukraine. The Direction Générale de
l'Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, estimates that the CAESAR has a
barrel life to fire 1,750 rounds and Nexter's estimate is 2,000 rounds.
Western self-propelled artillery donations to Ukraine. (Janes)

2021875

During a press conference following a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels
on 14 February, General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, hoped Western
training of Ukrainian soldiers to teach them to manoeuvre and shape the battlefield with fires and
then manoeuvring again would result in lower artillery ammunition expenditure.
Mobile conduct of battle was one of the lessons of the war in Ukraine discussed at Future Artillery
2023. This points to the need to downsize command posts to make them more mobile, the use of
camouflage, and maintenance and servicing on the battlefield.
Ukraine is operating mobile artillery hunting teams consisting of Arthur weapon locating radars
and their operators, tactical officers, all-terrain vehicles, and radar and vehicle maintainers. Arthur
emits a single radar beam, making it hard to detect, with protection against unmanned aircraft
systems (UASs) including multispectral camouflage, use of terrain and vegetation for cover, and
deception using dummies, as well as moving within the enemy's decision making cycle.
By contrast, Russia has lost at least six Zoopark counter-battery systems, with failure to take
advantage of terrain a contributing factor.
Ukrainian artillerymen fire a CAESAR SPH at Russian positions in eastern Ukraine on 28 December 2022. (Sameer
Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images)
2041088
Battlefield losses have accelerated Ukraine's transition from Soviet-style to NATO-standard

artillery, which is being donated by Western countries. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have found
that Western artillery has increased survivability, ease of use and operation, accuracy and rate of
fire, and efficiency, while reducing firing preparation.
For example, the CAESAR can obtain firing co-ordinates on the move and travel without
ammunition to avoid secondary explosions when it is hit, instead picking it up at firing locations.
M777 artillery in service with Ukrainian forces. (Ukrainian MoD)

2014259
Unlike CAESAR and other SPHs, many Ukrainian and Russian artillery pieces are towed, making
them prime targets. A third of the M777 towed howitzers donated to Ukraine have been destroyed,
it was estimated at Future Artillery 2023.

Ukrainian artillery systems
Name Type Calibre
BM-30 Smerch Multiple rocket launcher (MRL) 300 mm
9K57 Uragan MRL 220 mm
9K51 Grad MRL 220 mm
2A65B Msta-B (M1987) Towed howitzer 152 mm
2A18 (D-30) Towed howitzer 122 mm
M-46 Towed howitzer 130 mm
HIMARS MRL 227 mm
M270 MRL 227 mm
AS90 SPH 155 mm
Zuzana 2 SPH 155 mm
M109 SPH 155 mm
PzH 2000 SPH 155 mm
CAESAR SPH 155 mm
M777 Towed howitzer 155 mm
FH70 Towed howitzer 155 mm
M114 Towed howitzer 155 mm
TRF1 Towed howitzer 155 mm
L119 Towed howitzer 105 mm
M50/101 Towed howitzer 105 mm
Janes

Russian artillery systems in Ukraine
Name Type Calibre
2S4 Tyulpan Self-propelled mortar 240 mm
2S7 Pion Self-propelled gun (SPG) 203 mm
2S7M Malka SPG 203 mm
2S3/3M/3M1/3M2 Akatsiya SPH 152 mm
2S5 Giatsint SPH 152 mm
2S19/19M1/19M2 Msta-S SPH 152 mm
2S1 Gvozdika (M1974) SPH 122 mm
2S34 Khosta SPH 122 mm
2S9 Nona-S Self-propelled gun-mortar 120 mm
2S23 Nona-SVK Self-propelled gun-mortar 120 mm
2A65B Msta-B (M1987) Towed howitzer 152 mm
2A18 (D-30) Towed howitzer 122 mm
9K58 (BM-30) Smerch MRL 300 mm
9K515 Tornado-S MRL 300 mm
9K57 (BM-27) Uragan MRL 220 mm
9K51M Tornado-G MRL 122 mm
9K51 (BM-21) Grad MRL 122 mm
TOS-1A Solntsepyok MRL 220 mm
Janes

Analysis
Open-source intelligence estimates that Ukraine has around 1,600 artillery pieces, which is inadequate to
provide full coverage of the long front with Russia. Moreover, with Ukraine relying on itself, the Czech
Republic, Lithuania, and Poland to supply 152 mm and 122 mm ammunition, the shortage in these shells
will impact the operational capability of these pieces.
Western 155 mm howitzers supplied to Ukraine provide a significant advantage of uniformity in calibre and
equipment adhering to the NATO Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU). Ramping up
ammunition production to keep pace with Ukraine's usage would streamline production and improve
logistics. Another advantage is that field repair (barrel replacements at the end of their lives) will be more
efficient compared with the restricted supply chain of legacy systems.
Donated 155 mm/52 calibre howitzers (as opposed to 39 calibre) have an improved range compared to 152
mm howitzers when firing basic high-explosive ammunition (used in larger quantities for suppression fire).
However, only four 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer types are being donated, two of which are in Ukraine –
CAESAR and the PzH 2000 – and two more yet to be sent – the Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155
and Archer. The advantage of 52 calibre on the ground is limited and will only gain significance when it is
supplied in larger numbers. Currently, their impact is limited.
There are credible accounts on the ground that the introduction of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket
System (HIMARS) has helped Ukraine achieve significant tactical gains in the previous counteroffensive.
With M31A1 rounds providing precision fires with a range of 70 km, HIMARS has a relatively better stand-
off capability (compared to other artillery pieces). However, this equipment also suffers from ammunition
replenishment issues and its stand-off capability will be limited until and if the Army Tactical Missile
System (ATACMS) is supplied.
The M777 is light, and its primary advantage is that it is easier to airlift than heavier towed artillery, but
Ukraine does not typically transport its artillery using helicopters or transport aircraft, so this advantage is
theoretical. However, it is a relatively more simple howitzer for gunners to adapt to and can also fire
Excalibur precision rounds, albeit with the limitations of being towed. Easier operability also applies to 105
mm towed howitzers.
Calibre uniformity is the advantage of donated SPHs. However, modern systems like the CAESAR, PzH
2000, and Archer have complex mission systems. By contrast, the Soviet-era 122 mm Gvozdika is a
relatively much simpler SPH to operate, with manual loading and laying. How well the gun crews adapt to
the more complex Western systems will determine how well Ukrainian artillery taps the full potential of
these systems.
Inclusion of more counter-battery radars like Cobra in the kit transferred to Ukraine will add significant
value to the artillery being supplied.
Russian army doctrine places heavy emphasis on artillery, which supports manoeuvre warfare by covering
the flanks of friendly troops and targeting enemy troops trying to break through. Russian artillery uses
UASs, communications intelligence intercepts, visual observation, sound ranging, ground reconnaissance
patrols, and radar to acquire targets and/or direct fire on them. The primary calibre is 152 mm but there are
also 122 mm towed artillery and SPHs, as well as the larger calibre 203 mm Malka SPG. The primary
systems are the 300 mm Smerch and Tornado, with large numbers of 122 mm BM-21 Grad as well as 220
mm MRLs like Uragan.
Most Russian/Soviet legacy systems have manually operated weapon and mission systems. They are easy to
operate and relatively easier to repair in the field.

57. India signs contract to procure radio relay

containers
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth INR5 billion (USD60.9
million) with Hyderabad-based ICOMM Tele Limited to procure 1,035 units of 5/7.5 ton Radio
Relay Communication equipment containers for the Indian Army, the MoD said in a press release
on 15 June.
The containers will address “a long overdue requirement of mobile communication detachments of
the Indian Army”, the MoD said.
These containers will be mounted on authorised specialist vehicles and will provide a protected
environment for communication equipment, the MoD added. Radio Relay Communication
equipment is also known as High Capacity Radio Relay (HCRR) equipment.
The MoD issued a request for information (RFI) for the acquisition of the HCRR equipment in
March 2022.
The RFI said the HCRR equipment should comprise a radio, an antenna, and a power subsystem,
all fitted on a 5/7.5 ton vehicle.
In addition, the HCRR equipment should “meet the operational aim of engineering and setting up
secure, high-bandwidth, point-to-point communication link networks in high-altitude areas,
mountainous [areas], plains, and deserts”, the RFI added.
Comment
The project to procure HCRR is a part of the Indian Army's efforts to improve battlefield situational
awareness and network-centric warfare.
Apart from HCRR, the Indian Army has initiated projects such asSanjay, E-Sitrep, Anumaan, Avgat, Indian
Army Data Repository and Analytics (INDRA), High Frequency Man Packed Software Defined Radio
(HFSDR), and Situational Awareness Module for the Army (SAMA) under this improvement.
Project Sanjay seeks to improve the army's battlefield surveillance system while E-Sitrep focuses on
situational reporting over an enterprise-class geographic information system (GIS)platform.
ProjectAvgat will provide multidomain awareness to a single GIS platform whereas Project Anumaan is the
army's collaboration with the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) to
receive accurate weather forecasts for its deployments along the borders.
Project SAMA is being developed to provide situational awareness and Project HFSDR seeks to develop
long-distance radio communication equipment. Project INDRA will manage the database of Indian Army
troops.

58. Guarding the skies: Ukrainian and Russian

SHORAD face off air threats
Author: Christopher Petrov, London
Neither side has so far made wide use of close air support in the conflict in Ukraine, with each
others' short-range air defence (SHORAD) being a major restricting factor. Christopher
Petrov compares Ukrainian and Russian SHORAD capabilities
Ukraine has a gap in its short-range air-defence (SHORAD) capabilities, as illustrated by the loss of
a Leopard 2A6 main battle tank at the beginning of Kyiv's long-awaited counteroffensive. The tank
was hit by a Lancet loitering munition, indicating a continuing ability by the Russians to operate
these munitions as well as small quadcopters on the front line. The tank was likely abandoned
before being hit, but the Lancet set the important asset ablaze, turning a damaged but recoverable
vehicle into a write-off.
Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun in Ukraine. (Armed Forces of Ukraine)

2041089
Ukraine has limited air-defence assets – including SHORAD – and appears to be prioritising the
defence of population centres like Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and Vinnytsia over sending these effective
but more vulnerable assets to the front as a part of the counteroffensive.
One area in which the Ukrainians are lacking is complex electronic warfare (EW) systems,
although dozens of short-range jammers designed for use against threats such as small quadcopters
have been donated to Kyiv. Moreover, both sides regularly fire rifles from trench lines at
quadcopters and loitering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), indicating their infantry does not yet
have very short-range air defence (VSHORAD)/SHORAD.
Excalibur Army displayed its MR-2 Viktor light air-defence vehicle at the International Defence and Security
Technology Fair (IDET) 2023 held in Brno, Czech Republic from 24 to 26 May. (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)
2041077

Among the plethora of new equipment donated to Ukraine is the Viktor, a professionally built
technical of much higher quality than vehicles modified in the field. However, evidence of its use
by Ukraine shows a rather primitive system that relies on human detection, tracking, and aiming,
with little to no automation. It would struggle to engage any fast-moving target but could see some
success against less manoeuvrable UAVs, quadcopters, and hovering helicopters, as well as ground
targets. However, the platform is cheap and easy to produce, and in enough numbers could be a
solution to help fill gaps in Ukrainian SHORAD.
The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have continued to be limited in their ability to provide close
air support. Recently, there have been a few more sorties using heavy attack helicopters that
appeared to be successful. However, the presence of manportable air defence systems
(MANPADSs), which are a big threat to helicopters, keeps their use risky and therefore limited.
This is why firing of rockets or other munitions by attack helicopters of either side is followed by
flares and chaff as a precautionary measure.
MANPADSs are a major deterrent to using any airpower at low altitudes. However, they can
seldom lock on to small and low-thermal output objects such as quadcopters. There has been some
success in their employment against the Geran-2 loitering munition, which uses a small piston
engine and emits more measurable amounts of thermal energy that can be picked up by a
MANPADS seeker.
Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns have apparently performed very well against mid-sized
UAVs and Geran-2s but have been earmarked for defending population centres. This may change
in the short term to make up for limited numbers of Ukrainian mobile SHORAD systems.
If Ukrainian forces move further away from their entrenched positions, the gap in SHORAD will
only widen as their mobile SHORAD platforms make up an even smaller portion of all SHORAD
assets combined. Advancing Ukrainian units leaving static MANPADS coverage near entrenched
positions will be at greater risk of attack by the VKS. Ukraine may therefore have to relocate some
of its mobile SHORAD assets from the defence of population centres to the front lines.
Russia's SHORAD faces many of the same issues as Ukraine's but has the slight advantage that the
Ukrainian Air Force and its fixed-wing assets are an even more rare sight than the VKS. However,
Ukrainian quadcopters are extremely problematic for the Russians, exposing their positions and
allowing Ukrainian co-ordination of long-range fires against entrenched Russian soldiers. Like the
Ukrainians, front-line Russian infantry squads do not have organic counter-UAV weaponry and
have to use their rifles in a last-ditch effort to shoot down quadcopters exposing their positions.
The Russians do have indigenous EW capabilities, but their employment and location remain
unknown as despite high attrition rates, the Ukrainians have never seemed to have an issue
operating UAVs with wireless connections to their operators.
However, Russia has a wide range of legacy and modern SHORAD systems that are highly
effective against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft but not against reconnaissance quadcopters and
small fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs, for which the Russians have no dedicated solution.

Opposing SHORAD systems in Ukraine
Ukraine Russia
MANPADSs
9K32 Strela-2 9K32 Strela-2
Igla family Igla family
Piorun Verba
FIM-92 Stingers
Starstreak (tripod)
Mistral (tripod)
Anti-aircraft cannons
ZU-23-2 ZU-23-2
KPV KPV
M55 S-60
Bofors 40
Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and missiles
ZSU-23-4 ZSU-23-4
2K22 Tunguska 2K22 Tunguska
Gepard Pantsir
Skynex MT-LB-2M-3
MR-2 Viktor
SHORAD missile systems
9K33 Osa 9K33 Osa
Stormer High Velocity Missile (HVM) Tor
Janes

Analysis
The Ukrainian military is on the offensive, so Russian forces will have an advantage in defence.
The static front line has so far ensured that Russian air-defence assets have been adequately
positioned and can provide defences against Ukrainian Air Force assets that only smaller UAVs or
low-flying helicopters could possibly avoid.
The main threat to any Russian air-defence asset is anti-radiation weaponry such as the High-speed
Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), but it has seen quite limited use and success. Moreover, any rapid
advance by the Ukrainians could expose Russian SHORAD to ground fire, to which it could prove
extremely vulnerable.
59. Going green: Militaries target sustainable logistics

For militaries, adopting green technologies not only helps to reduce emissions but also can
enhance force sustainment and operational effectiveness. Olivia Savage explores efforts under
way in the UK and the US
The global defence sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and
according to the Norwegian Armed Forces, would be the fourth largest emitter after the US, China,
and India – if it were a country. With targets to reduce emissions and their impact on the
environment, militaries are moving to introduce a range of novel technologies.
To maintain their operational edge, militaries will have to adapt and evolve the way they fight, live,
and train, the UK Climate Change & Sustainability Strategic Approach, published in March 2021,
detailed. Although such adaptation can be viewed as an imposition, “sustainability is the key to
operational advantage going forward, particularly in the land environment”, Lieutenant General
Richard Wardlaw, Chief of Defence Logistics and Support at UK Strategic Command, told Janes.
From a logistics perspective, there are a number of green technologies such as micro nuclear
reactors, deployable solar and wind solutions, and advanced additive manufacturing, which offer
significant capability advantages. Improving self-sufficiency is one key advantage, in addition to
providing greater agility, flexibility, and resilience, Air Commodore Ange Baker, Head of Futures
& Operational Energy at UK Defence Support, told Janes. This is particularly the case for deployed
operations, where a great deal of time and resources are spent establishing and sustaining the
forward supply chain, Air Cdre Baker added.
This creates vulnerabilities, as attacking the supply chain is a common tactic used to deplete an
opponent's resources and offensive capabilities. For instance, 60% of US casualties in Afghanistan
occurred while protecting logistics convoys, Lt Gen Wardlaw noted.
Adopting green technology can therefore help to improve self-sufficiency for a deployed force as it
reduces the demands on the supply chain, improving resilience and operational risk, Air Cdre Baker

said. Reducing the logistics tail is one of the key advantages in deploying green technology, Lt Gen
Wardlaw and Paul Farnan, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy,
and Environment) for the US Department of Defense (DoD), explained to Janes.
The US Army Climate Strategy, published in February 2022, set a goal to reach net-zero emissions
by 2050. Three lines of effort were detailed to achieve this – adapting the army's installations and
infrastructure; increasing operational capability while reducing sustainment needs as well as
strengthening climate resilience; and preparing the force to operate in a climate-changed world.
As part of this, the army set a target to install microgrids to manage power on every installation by
2035, as well as reduce its “operational energy and water use by 2035 and achieve carbon
pollution-free contingency basing by 2050”. Contingency basing is a small temporary forward
operating base (FOB), Farnan noted.
US activities
To meet these objectives, the army along with the DoD has been investing in various novel power
and storage solutions. Project Pele is one such programme managed by the DoD, which aims to
develop a transportable micronuclear reactor that can be turned off, transported, and set up within
seven days using typical army infrastructure, Jeff Waksman, DoD programme manager, told Janes.
This is a potential game-changer for the military in a logistical sense, he added.
BWXT's transportable micronuclear reactor is being developed in partnership with the US DoD to provide resilient
clean power for operational requirements. The programme, known as Project Pele, will cost USD500 million in total.
(BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC)
2045177
The micronuclear reactor being developed by BWXT Advanced Technologies (AT) has the
potential to provide up to five years of clean energy without needing to refuel. It will generate
enough power to charge more than 1,000 homes, or mobile hospitals, over-the-horizon radars, and
command centres, Waksman said.
The entire system encompasses four standard 20 ft containers, one of which houses the nuclear
reactor, BWXT AT's president Joe Miller told Janes. A full-scale transportable microreactor
prototype will be ready for testing by 2025 at the Idaho National Laboratory, he said.
The reactor uses tristructural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel comprising three layers of coating to
prevent the release of radioactive fission products. This is advantageous from a nuclear non-
proliferation perspective as it makes it very challenging to extract the uranium. It is also resilient to
high temperatures, making it particularly suitable for defence purposes, Waksman explained.

For the US military, the intention is to deploy these reactors at austere and remote locations,
Waksman said. It could also be used at Strategic Support Areas (SSAs) – where US military
capabilities are generated, projected, and sustained during an operation. In this instance, the reactor
could provide the SSA with clean, reliable nuclear fuel, allowing “whatever fossil fuel you need to
get forward, significantly reducing the burden on a force's logistics line”, he explained.
In addition to Project Pele, the army is investing in generators that store, produce, and allocate
energy more efficiently, as extant generators consume significant quantities of diesel that must be
transported, often across hazardous terrain. Legacy generators are also inefficient as they typically
power individual facilities. To this end, if the army can decrease the amount of diesel required by
using more efficient generators that are tied to a microgrid and paired with battery stores, it will
significantly reduce its logistics tail, Farnan explained.
A microgrid involves connecting all energy sources together, including those which are renewable
such as wind and solar, to maximise fuel efficiency and enable the proper allocation of power. For
instance, rather than having multiple generators powering individual facilities, a microgrid can
collectively power the same number of facilities with fewer generators. Less fuel is used, reducing
emissions and lowering the demand on the supply chain, Farnan said.
The army has already begun to invest in and implement more efficient generators known as
Advanced Medium Mobile Power Sources (AMMPS) that are 21% more fuel-efficient compared
with legacy systems. However, AMMPS must be deployed as part of a microgrid system – paired
with battery storage solutions – to reach their full potential, the army climate strategy detailed. As
part of a microgrid system, AMMPS would be 45% more fuel efficient, and this would increase to
65% if paired with battery storage solutions, Farnan said.
Along with more efficient power sources, the army has also been investing in various renewable
energy solutions such as wind and solar for its contingency bases. Central to this is the US Army's
Contingency Basing Integration Training and Evaluation Center (CBITEC) at Fort Leonard Wood,
Missouri. According to Farnan, a representative contingency base is being used at the centre to trial
100–200 kW solar arrays to determine the panels' functionality when operational and establish the
level of power produced in austere conditions. Initial results reveal that a relatively large solar array
is required to produce a significant amount of power, and the system must therefore be paired with
other solutions, he said.
“Reducing the demand for all supplies and services – not just energy – is key to success on the
future battlefield,” Farnan said. To this end, improving the efficiency of shelters, particularly in the
Arctic, and developing water purification equipment are critical first steps to ensuring pollution-
free contingency basing by 2050. For example, purifying grey water or black water on deployment
could reduce water consumption by up to 90%. These technologies are still in the developmental
stages along with the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) and the policies to use them, he
said.
In addition, the army alongside the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is working with industry to
identify and test technologies that can safely dispose of waste at contingency bases, some of which
could also provide electricity. Multiple firms have submitted proposals to participate in the
programme, which was launched in February 2023. The preferred solution should be one that is

capable of generating usable energy, heat, and/or other useful end items, and can be hardened to
support multiple forms of waste to include hazardous and medical waste, tyres, asbestos, munitions
and explosives, and treated wood.
To meet the UK's legal requirement to reach net-zero by 2050, the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
published a climate change strategy that detailed an ‘initial action plan' for its departments and
responsibilities. Support, maintenance, and logistics is one area that must strive to be sustainable in
its practices, the strategy detailed.
To this end, by 2025 the Defence Support (DefSp) organisation must have chosen an appropriate
energy strategy and begun to realise the operational benefits associated with being more self-
sufficient when deployed. This has led to the creation of the first defence Sustainable Support
Strategy (SSS), which aims to understand the environmental threats and reduce their impacts while
maintaining or improving military capability, effectiveness, efficiency, and resilience, the SSS
detailed. Delivering this advantage will require a change in logistics provision of deployed forces
from one of sustain at reach, to achieving greater levels of self-sustainment – enabled by green
technology.
Eventually, the intent is to have a force that “operates with increased precision, a smaller footprint,
and greater agility. By doing so, it will reduce its demands as far as is practical both on the strategic
base as well as on the regions in which it is operating. These changes provide greater operational
freedoms and make forces more sustainable”, the SSS detailed.
Embracing technology will be at the heart of shifting to a more self-sustaining force and will be
“important to maintain our operational edge” and unlock the potential of the future force, Air Cdre
Baker said. However, she caveated this by saying defence would not compromise operational
capability for green technology, rather, it is about “being operationally effective and green”.
UK activities
To stimulate this logistical pivot, DefSp and the Support and Sustainability Programme delivered
by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are running various sustainable research
and experimentation projects. The majority of the new technologies being investigated are either
specifically to enable the MoD to become more sustainable or will naturally provide defence with a
more sustainable solution, Air Cdre Baker said.
Together, Dstl and DefSp are spending approximately GBP10 million (USD12.64 million) a year
on investigating future approaches and technologies to maximise military self-sufficiency and
create circularity opportunities on deployments. The intent being that a more self-sufficient
deployed force and FOB will eventually operate much like a circular economy, reducing
dependencies and the logistics tail, Air Cdre Baker explained. This will be integral to a pivot from
sustain at reach to a more self-sustained force – a core objective for DefSp. Everything including
waste would be treated as a resource. For instance, one start-up company called Wastewater Fuels
envisions using human waste to produce hydrogen for energy, she added.
To create a circular FOB and deployed force, the MoD has been investing in various technologies,
particularly renewable energy sources such as deployable wind and solar panels, as well as novel
energy storage solutions. Lieutenant General Richard Nugee (retd), who previously led the UK

MoD Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach, told Janes that one example is
Spinetic Energy, a company that develops deployable wind panels. The solution is scalable to
provide kW to multi-MWs and optimised to operate at moderate wind speeds, compared with
traditional turbines that require stronger than average conditions.
The UK MoD has been trialling with Spinetic Energy's wind panels, optimised for speeds and locations where
conventional turbines are not viable. (Spinetic Energy)
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FOBs require significant quantities of fuel to function, but operating in austere and remote
environments can make this challenging. Consequently, generators are a vital component for all
FOBs, although these systems also require large quantities of fuel, specifically diesel. To alleviate
these demands, the British Army, as part of the Army Warfighting Experiment Sustain & Protect
(AWE S&P) exercise in November 2022, has been trialling with novel power solutions. Marshall
and IDE's HGT20K-30 – a deployable tactical hybrid generator that can be controlled and
maintained remotely and operated silently, in certain modes – is one such solution. CMCA's Hybrid
Power Solution, comprising diesel generators, solar arrays, and inverters with electrical storage
modules was also trialled at AWE S&P. Staff Sergeant Roxanne Powell of the Royal Engineers
Trials and Development Unit told Janes at the event that the company's solution proved extremely
popular because of its mobility and versatility. When compared with a traditional diesel field
generator, it was “smaller, lighter, and more efficient”, he said.
Solar arrays that form part of CMCA's Hybrid Power Solution at AWE 2022. (Chris Winter/Cloudhill Productions)
2015497
In addition, CMCA's Expedition 450 – a component of its Hybrid Power Solution – was
experimented with. The deployable solar array can be transported in a compact Pelican case and
‘folded' out to provide 450 W of power. Multiple arrays can be configured in parallel to increase
power output, SSgt Powell explained.

CMCA's Expedition 450 mobile solar arrays, a component of its Hybrid Power Solution,being set up outside a
command-and-control centre at AWE 2022. (Chris Winter/Cloudhill Productions)
2015498
Logistically, hybrid generators are particularly advantageous compared with their predecessors as
they require less fuel and are more efficient, in turn reducing cost and the resupply chain, Lt Gen
Nugee said.
Along with the US, the UK is also interested in micronuclear reactors, because these systems can
offer significant amounts of clean electricity in theatre. For Lt Gen Wardlaw, the opportunities
provided by micronuclear reactors are “profound as you can connect it to carbon capture units [and]
generate synthetic fuel in situ without having a 3,000 km supply chain … unhinging the military
from its long logistics tail”. He envisages potentially having a network of reactors across the
battlespace that are “dug in”. The UK has been closely following Project Pele and is attempting to
secure investment in this regard.
From micronuclear reactors to hybrid generators and deployable wind panels, these novel energy
solutions lessen the demand for fuel, in turn improving self-sufficiency and reducing the resupply
chain while forward. This is significant, as fuel currently dominates the logistics tail of a force, Lt
Gen Nugee said. Consequently, a more self-sufficient force – enabled by green technology – will
have reduced emissions and resupply chains, lowering the number of soldiers and platforms
required to support and protect supply convoys. This frees up both the troops and systems for more
operationally suitable missions, enhancing effectiveness while saving money, Lt Gen Nugee and Lt
Gen Wardlaw said.
Although “it's not that green tech equals saved lives, it's about making ourselves more self-
sufficient to reduce the logistical resupply, which would increase the flexibility of the military and
the individual”, Lt Gen Nugee said. He did not expect the army to be entirely self-sufficient in the
future, but perhaps 70% in 10 years' time.
In conjunction with renewable energy sources, additive manufacturing, digital twinning, and
augmented reality offer deployed forces the opportunity to improve resilience and reduce
dependencies, Air Cdre Baker said. For instance, a FOB with an additive manufacturing capability
would require less materiel to be transported, enabling resupply at reach while cutting carbon
emissions, she explained.
Augmented reality could similarly minimise the forward supply chain, as it can enable soldiers –
supported by virtual reality goggles – to access advanced diagnostics, guidance, and advice to assist

in vehicle maintenance, reducing the training burden. A force's deployed footprint would
consequently be reduced, lessening the sustainment pressures on the FOB, Air Cdre Baker said.
Together, these technologies were trialled at Project Convergence 2022, a US-led trinational
exercise involving Australia and the UK. Using Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality goggles, a
US soldier was guided by a British engineer to fix various vehicles, supplemented with additive
manufacturing parts, Major Alex Aitken, SO2B British Army Strategic Engagement and head of
the UK PC 2022 contingent, informed Janes.
In addition to these projects, significant research and development (R&D) is being conducted
within each of the services to contribute to growing sustainable defence capabilities.
Comment
Pivoting towards a more self-sustained force underpinned by green technology will require
overhauling existing concepts and beliefs. If implemented effectively it will fundamentally alter
how a deployed force operates and reduce not only its carbon footprint but also its logistics tail, and
subsequently its dependencies and vulnerabilities. This is important, for example, in Ukraine where
both sides have deliberately targeted one another's supply lines, particularly fuel depots, to
devastating effect. These vulnerabilities were most acute during Russia's attack on Kyiv in
February 2022, when its logistics convoys broke down on the approach to the city as a result of
mechanical issues, Ukrainian resistance, and fuel shortages.
Nevertheless, as militaries shift towards being increasingly electrified and digitalised, the demand
for power will only increase. How a force meets its net-zero agenda while dealing with these rising
power demands remains to be seen.
60. India, US unveil effort to boost defence technology

ties
Author: Marc Selinger, Washington, DC;Jon Grevatt, Bangkok
The US Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) have launched
the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) initiative, which calls for a series of
activities to increase defence technology co-operation between the two countries.
According to an INDUS-X outline that the DoD released on 21 June, large Indian and US defence
contractors will identify opportunities to mentor startups on market access, business strategy, and
technology know-how. The large contractors may also explore supply chain collaboration with
startups.
The DoD and the MoD will explore several potential actions under the INDUS-X umbrella,
including holding joint prize challenges for Indian and US startups, giving startups access to
government research and development centres, and securing funding, including private investment,
for startups.

INDUS-X also envisions looking for ways to enhance testing and certification capacity in India and
the US and exploring certification standardisation for new technology.
The INDUS-X rollout follows the release of the new ‘Roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial
Cooperation' in New Delhi on 5 June. It came a day before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
was scheduled to visit US President Joe Biden at the White House on 22 June.
Analysis
The INDUS-X initiative is intended to further expand the defence technology partnership between
the US and India. Both sides see value in this. For the US, the engagement is part of its Indo-Pacific
strategy and enables US industry to gain access into an important export market. For India, the
initiative could enable its industry and armed forces to benefit from advanced US technologies.
The new scheme also builds on an existing similar mechanism known as the US-India Defence
Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which was established in 2012. Under this initiative, the
two countries have established a series of projects – under working groups for land, naval, air, and
aircraft carrier technologies – with the aim to induct designated capabilities into the Indian Armed
Forces.
However, the DTTI has had limited success, which is likely to have prompted efforts to
reinvigorate the relationship through the new INDUS-X.
In the past, the main barrier with the DTTI has been, in India's view, the lack of modern
technologies that have been delivered to the Indian military. US restrictions – framed by
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) – have also probably limited the scope of DTTI
co-operation. Lingering concerns in Washington that US capabilities could be exposed through
India's close defence technology ties with Russia are also likely another factor.
Another effort to strengthen bilateral defence technologies ties was announced in early June. The
Roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation is intended to support resilient defence-
industrial supply chains as well as identify opportunities to co-develop new technologies and co-
produce existing and new defence equipment.

61. Mach 5: US prepares to field hypersonics as

operational and technical challenges endure
Author: Daniel Wasserbly, Washington, DC;Marc Selinger, Washington, DC;
Zach Rosenberg, Washington, DC;Michael Fabey, Washington, DC;
Meredith Roaten, Washington, DC
The Pentagon is pursuing hypersonic weapons programmes in earnest and several are on the
cusp of production. Michael Fabey,Meredith Roaten, Zach Rosenberg, Marc Selinger, and
Daniel Wasserbly report
Hypersonic-speed weapons that can manoeuvre within Earth's atmosphere – referred to by the
Pentagon simply as ‘hypersonics' – are likely to be fielded soon as a new niche capability, but their
high cost and unique mission set may limit their ultimate proliferation.
Hypersonics and defences against them were named the highest development priority in 2018 by
the US Department of Defense's (DoD's) then undersecretary of defence for research and
engineering Michael Griffin.
China and Russia are known to be developing hypersonic-speed weapons, such as hypersonic glide
vehicles, that are meant to be capable of covering significant ranges within a short period of time.
A hypersonic weapon would reach speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 10.
Chinese and Russian programmes are understood to include both conventional and nuclear-armed
‘hypersonic' weapons, although the term hypersonic is often applied differently outside the US.
Publicly known US hypersonic weapons programmes, “in contrast to those in Russia and China, are
not being designed for use with a nuclear warhead. As a result, US hypersonic weapons will likely
require greater accuracy and will be more technically challenging to develop than nuclear-armed
Chinese and Russian systems”, the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) wrote in a 13
February 2023 report.
The technology for this capability has long been sought but there are still fundamental hurdles to
overcome. The key technological challenge is managing the heat generated by travelling at high
speeds within the atmosphere.
“Shielding hypersonic missiles' sensitive electronics, understanding how various materials perform,
and predicting aerodynamics at sustained temperatures as high as 3,000° Fahrenheit require
extensive flight testing,” said a January 2023 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on US
Hypersonic Weapons and Alternatives. “Tests are ongoing, but failures in recent years have
delayed progress.”
Ballistic missiles can travel at hypersonic speeds but mostly on a known trajectory and sometimes
outside the atmosphere. Similar to ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles are seen as especially
well-suited to obviating adversaries' anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies.

CBO noted that “hypersonic missiles with sufficient ranges for A2/AD scenarios – at least 1,000
kilometers (km), or about 600 miles, for missiles launched from aircraft and at least 3,000 km, or
about 1,900 miles, for missiles launched from the ground or sea – have the speed to be useful in the
early stages of a conflict with a near-peer adversary”.
However, hypersonic missiles with those ranges “would be more expensive than similar ballistic
missiles and pose much greater technical challenges”, CBO said, estimating that “hypersonic
missiles would cost roughly one-third more than [manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles (MaRVs)] that
had the same range and accuracy and traveled at similar speeds”. The US does not field ballistic
missiles equipped with MaRVs.
CBO estimates of hypersonic versus ballistic missiles. (US Congressional Budget Office/Janes)
2021877
CBO estimated that “procuring 300 intermediate-range hypersonic boost-glide missiles like the
ones being developed by the [US] Army and the Navy and then sustaining the missile system for 20
years would cost a total of USD17.9 billion in 2023 dollars”. Conversely, “300 MaRV-equipped
ballistic missiles with the same speeds, ranges, and targeting capabilities as those hypersonic
missiles would cost a total of USD13.4 billion”, CBO projected.
Supply chain
The DoD needs to shore up its supply chain for hypersonic weapons if it intends to realise its goal
of fielding such systems in large numbers, according to Hypersonics Supply Chains: Securing the
Path to the Future – a new report by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Emerging
Technologies Institute.
“[The] current supply chains, including the manufacturing base, supply of critical materials, testing
infrastructure, and workforce, are incapable of supporting [the] DoD's ambitious plans,” the
52-page report says. “That is not to say it is impossible, but instead, significant steps must be taken
to strengthen hypersonics supply chains.”
Although the DoD had not deployed any hypersonic weapons at the time of the report's release on
11 May 2023, it has expressed interest in fielding hundreds and eventually thousands of them

because of their potential to be “highly survivable, deep penetrating, rapid-response weapons”, the
report noted. However, while the DoD has at least 10 major unclassified offensive hypersonic
programmes, it has a small number of suppliers in many important areas, in part because support
for such programmes has been inconsistent over the years.
CBO estimates of US hypersonic weapons development funding. (US Congressional Budget Office (CBO)/Janes)
2021887
“Despite [its] recent effort, the DoD has often wavered in its commitment to fielding hypersonic
systems at scale,” the report said. “Some years, it has been a clear priority while other times, the
commitment has been ambiguous.”
The DoD has only two US suppliers of rocket motors used in missile propulsion systems – Aerojet
Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman – and the space industry gets most of their output. Space
launches have rapidly grown in recent years and this is increasing demand on a limited supply,
“potentiallychanneling finite resources away from hypersonics development”, the report added.
For example, ammonium perchlorate (AP) is used in solid rocket propellant and the DoD has two
certified suppliers – American Pacific and Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman recently
entered the AP market and “only time will tell if two AP suppliers for hypersonic purposes is
sufficient”, the report said. Similarly, the DoD has three suppliers of carbon-carbon materials,
which are used to coat hypersonic vehicles to withstand high temperatures during flight.
The NDIA report also calls for a more consistent demand signal from the DoD, more investment in
high-temperature materials, and more help for small suppliers to improve defences against cyber
attacks. It also recommends working with academia to alleviate hypersonics workforce shortages
and increasing hypersonics co-operation with allies, especially Australia, a long-time partner in

hypersonics. Australia and Canada could both help the US ease its testing infrastructure shortages
and lessen its reliance on China for critical raw materials, the report added.
Mark Lewis, CEO of the Purdue Applied Research Institute, said the DoD could learn lessons from
China, which is testing its hypersonic weapons much more frequently. The rapid pace of testing is
helping China improve its capabilities and build its workforce, he said. “They are moving as fast as
can be,” Lewis told Janes during a panel discussion on the report.
For its part, the DoD has taken steps to bolster its hypersonics supply chain. It announced in
December 2022 and April 2023 that it has awarded tens of millions of dollars to Carbon-Carbon
Advanced Technologies (C-CAT), General Electric (GE), and Northrop Grumman to increase
production capacity for hypersonics materials and parts.
The Joe Biden administration “has identified hypersonics technology as a critical need for ensuring
American national security”, Laura Taylor-Kale, US assistant secretary of defence for industrial
base policy, said in April 2023.
GE Aerospace, which has fielded ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components in commercial jet
engines for years, intends to use the DoD funding to enhance “its ability to develop a variety of
CMC products that are size-scale relevant for hypersonic vehicles and their thermal management
needs”, a company spokesperson told Janes on 9 June. Those products will range “from vehicle
control surfaces to large format aeroshells, which combine the vehicle structures and exterior
shell”.
GE Aerospace says that high-temperature materials it uses to make commercial jet engine parts, shown here, could
also be used in hypersonics. (GE Aerospace)
2004328
The DoD announced in October 2022 that Leidos subsidiary Dynetics and a team of more than 20
partners from industry, national laboratories, and academia were awarded a contract to increase
domestic capacity for hypersonic flight testing and use commercial launch vehicles for ride-along
hypersonic payloads. “In order to meet our objectives in hypersonics, we need to be able to launch
flight tests much more regularly,” said Mike White, the DoD's principal director for hypersonics.
In a similar vein, Northrop Grumman is opening a new facility in Elkton, Maryland, that is focused
on hypersonics production, Chris Gettinger, director of the advanced propulsion and systems
market segment for the company's Missile Products, said on 17 May. Solid rocket motors – for
example used in the army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) instead of scramjet engines
used in the air force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) – will be developed, tested, and
produced there.

Although investing in this new facility doesn't add another option for full-scale military flight tests,
the ability to test components may ease life-cycle costs. “Generally, these facilities are more
affordable to run than those larger facilities,” Gettinger said. “When we're ready for system-level
testing, [we'll] go to the government facilities, which are more expensive.”
ARRW
The US has several ongoing air-launched programmes, intended to strike high-value targets in
denied environments. All but one are air-breathing cruise missiles, which are more complex than
boost-glide systems but can fly below an adversary's radar horizon and manoeuvre in less
predictable ways.
Air-breathing hypersonics to date have been test articles, essentially built one at a time, and how
well-suited they will be to mass manufacturing remains to be seen.
The Lockheed Martin AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), a two-stage
boost-glide weapon intended for launch by B-52 bombers, had appeared to be the air-launched
hypersonic weapon closest to entering service with initial operational capability (IOC) scheduled in
the mid-2020s.
However, in 2021 ARRW's booster rocket failed on three sequential flight tests, and accordingly
the US Air Force (USAF) postponed its decision on whether to purchase the munition, pending the
results of future testing. In 2022 the booster flew successfully twice, and in December 2022 the first
all-up round flew successfully. In March 2023 another all-up round test failed for reasons that had
not been publicly released as of publication. The USAF said the test “met several objectives” but
declined to elaborate.
Those failures are expected to lead to the programme's cancellation. A USAF spokesperson said
that officially a production decision has again been postponed, but Andrew Hunter, the service's
chief acquisition official, said in Congressional testimony in March 2023 that the programme was
likely over.
Despite test failures, the USAF requested USD150 million for the ARRW programme in fiscal year
(FY) 2024. The intent, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall told Congress, is to launch the last
two all-up rounds to gather data on hypersonic flight, with the insights gleaned applied to other
progammes.
HACM
Raytheon's HACM is likely to be the USAF's first operational hypersonic missile, scheduled to
achieve IOC in 2027. HACM descended from the joint USAF-Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency's Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC). The HAWC project ended
in January 2023 following four successful test flights.
HACM borrows heavily from HAWC for system design, including the control and fuel systems,
and changes between HAWC and HACM were “pretty straightforward”, Raytheon programme
manager Nate Szyba told Janes in May.

An artist rendering of the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapons Concept from a Raytheon and Northrop Grumman team
for the USAF and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (Raytheon Missiles & Defense)
2018998
The joint US-Australian Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE), an
experimental programme scheduled to fly in the mid-2020s, is closely related to HACM, and some
HACM testing is likely to occur on Australian test ranges as the country is part of the HACM
programme.
HACM will be smaller than ARRW – theUSAF specified it be integrated with tactical aircraft, and
although none have been named, USAF and Australian officials have alluded to the F-15 and F/A-
18. HACM will also likely fit on rotary launch systems housed within the bomb bays of B-52 or B-
1 strategic bombers. “The system is designed to be compatible with a variety of other different
programmes or platforms, both in terms of size and weight, and the interface and mounting
structure,” Szyba said.
HACM's desired range is undisclosed, but it likely equals or exceeds HAWC's 300 n mile (556 km)
flights.
In September 2022 Raytheon was awarded the USD985 million HACM construction contract (the
company also built HAWC), with Northrop Grumman providing the propulsion system.
Unspecified HACM components are being built and subsystems are in testing, Szyba told Janes,
but all-up round testing is years away. As of mid-May the integrated weapon had not yet reached a
critical design review (CDR), the milestone that marks design freeze.
The USAF requested approximately USD350 million for HACM in FY 2024.
Project Mayhem
Little is publicly known about the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL's) Project Mayhem, also
known as the Hypersonic Multi-Mission ISR and Strike programme.
The programme is intended to build an air-breathing, scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicle capable

of carrying five times the payload of current systems over twice the range – carrying explosives,
responsive ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), ‘area effects', or ‘large unitary'
payloads. AFRL declined to elaborate on specifics because of the programme's classification. The
programme name originally included the word expendable, and its absence from recent official
documentation has led to speculation that Mayhem might be designed for reuse, which would be a
first for a hypersonic weapon.

In December 2022 the USAF awarded Leidos a contract worth up to USD334 million to mature its
Mayhem design through System Requirements Review (SRR), to include building and testing
unspecified subsystem components.
HALO
The US Navy's (USN's) only known air-launched hypersonics effort is the Hypersonic Air-
Launched Offensive (HALO) anti-surface warfare programme, intended as an anti-ship weapon.
HALO marks the second increment of the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) programme,
the first iteration of which resulted in the 2018 IOC of the stealthy but relatively slow Long-
RangeAnti-Ship Missile (LRASM). While the F/A-18 is the HALO programme's only required
platform aircraft, integration with the F-35 and other platforms is possible.
Lockheed Martin's Hypersonic Air-Launched OASuW concept. (Lockheed Martin)

2044041
Requirements are being finalised, and little is publicly known about how the weapon will look or
its desired specifications. Despite its name, USN Program Manager for Precision Strike Weapons
Captain Richard Gensley told Janes in May that HALO may not exceed Mach 5, the threshold of
hypersonic flight. “There is potential that you may touch hypersonic [speeds] or you may not,” he
said. “We're leaving that up to our suppliers to help us sort out.”
The desired range is likely to meet or exceed LRASM's estimated 500 n mile (926 km) capability.
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were selected for the programme in March 2023. The contract
schedules both companies' projects to reach preliminary design review (PDR) in December 2024.
The USN wants flightworthy prototypes from both companies.
Gensley declined to say whether or when a downselect might follow. IOC for the resulting weapon
is scheduled for 2029, but the USN and contractors have suggested that they hope to accelerate the
programme.
Conventional Prompt Strike
In 2018 the Pentagon decided the USN would lead the development of a Common Hypersonic
Glide Body (C-HGB) for use across the services, with the army and navy now the expected
benefactors.

The USN's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) programme pairs the C-HGB with a common two-
stage booster system to create a common All Up Round (AUR) for the army and navy.The navy's
CPS programme will provide the AUR missiles and elements of the weapons control system for the
army's LRHW programme. Each service has a unique canister supporting the launching platform.
In June 2022 the first AUR was tested and failed.
The CPS programme changed its transition plan from executing another rapid prototyping effort to
transitioning to rapid fielding because of funding cuts, the impending retirement of a submarine,
and new navy mission requirements, programme officials told the US Government Accountability
Office (GAO).
The USN's CPS programme underwent a restructuring after it received nearly a quarter less in
funding for FY 2021 than it requested. The CPS schedule depends on the army and navy both
meeting schedule milestones. Test failures, like in 2022, have prompted the services to jointly re-
evaluate the delivery schedule to ensure the system meets safety and performance expectations,
according to the GAO's annual report on major Pentagon acquisition programmes, released on 8
June.
Funding cuts have caused the services to reduce their testing plans and rely more on modelling and
simulations, the GAO said, noting that the final three flight tests originally included two missiles
each – one from each service. However, because of budget cuts, only one army missile will be fired
at each test, with no spares.
The testing issues come at a critical juncture, as the USN is in a rapid-fielding second phase to
integrate a CPS missile on guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), or another of that
class, by 2025.
To outfit USS Zumwalt with a hypersonic missile launching system, the US Navy will have to remove the ship's existing
gun system. (Janes/Michael Fabey)
1684507
Testing in June 2022 underscored a technological issue as the two-stage booster worked as
expected, but the glide body failed to separate. CPS programme officials told the GAO that
separation events – a clean separation of the glide body from the second stage booster and having
the glide body continue on its flight – were identified in testing as the main technical risk. A design
change meant to address the issue is scheduled for testing later in 2023, the auditors reported.

As far as USN CPS platform planning goes, the navy expects to install CPS on DDG 1000 in FY
2024, and on the other ships during their first planned dry-docking maintenance periods.
According to the programme manager, one of the primary engineering efforts to incorporate CPS is
to design a launching system to cold-launch the missile, ejecting it from the ship before its rocket
motor ignites, the GAO noted. Zumwalt would be the first USN surface-ship class to cold-launch
missiles. To outfit the ships with hypersonic weapons, the USN must remove the existing
Advanced Gun System turrets and replace them with the CPS payload launcher.
Funding provided thus far “constitutes a fraction of the total expected funding necessary for
complete CPS integration”, navy programme managers told the GAO. Integrating the CPS weapon
system across all three Zumwalt-class ships was estimated in June 2021 to cost about USD900
million.
The first live demonstration of a hypersonic weapon from the DDG 1000 is scheduled for FY 2025.
However, there is potential for delay.
Zumwalt's operational testing is scheduled to take place immediately before the planned
maintenance. Programme officials told the GAO that hypersonic weapon system installation on
DDG 1000 would not be impacted if operational testing is completed as planned. However, if
operational testing is delayed until a date during DDG 1000's scheduled maintenance period, the
DDG 1001 would be used for the testing instead.
“According to [CPS] programme officials, the amount of design and launch system installation
work needed to field CPS on the Zumwalt-class destroyers is a schedule risk for phase two,” the
GAO reported. Still, navy officials told the GAO that the Zumwalt class is on track to be the first
platform to field a long-range precision hypersonic capability by integrating the CPS weapon
system.
In January 2023 US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro identified the outfitting of fleet assets
with hypersonics as an immediate priority.
Leading the USN integration effort for offensive and defensive hypersonic weapon systems is the
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), which has an established history of
hypersonics work. “Since 2016 the NSWCDD has conducted integrated air and missile defence
analyses focused on hypersonic missiles,” Dale Sisson Jr, NSWCDD's technical director, told
Janes. Dahlgren is involved in getting Zumwalt ready for the transition to hypersonics, he said.
The third CPS phase – a planned major defence acquisition programme – expects to field the
missile on Block V Virginia-class attack submarines by 2030. “As a result of delivery delays for
the newest Block V Virginia-class submarines (VCS), CPS will not be fielded on the submarine in
phase three until 2030 – 2 years later than planned – unless another submarine option is identified,”
the GAO noted.
Performance on theVCS construction continues to “degrade”, the GAO reported. “The [VCS]
programme now estimates construction of each Block V submarine will take an average of over
two years longer than reported last year.”

LRHW
For its part, the US Army's modernisation plan for 2030 includes a focus on long-range precision
fires. That means creating options, and the LRHW programme is the most extreme of those options,
although comes with unique deployment challenges, especially in the Pacific.
The first hypersonic weapon is scheduled to be delivered by the end of FY 2023 as part of the
army's effort to field 24 technologies by 2024, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said
during an American Enterprise Institute event on 15 March 2023.
The US Navy tests a Second Stage Solid Rocket Motor as part of its development of its CPS and the army's LRHW. (US
Navy)
2003664
However, the weapon's development is behind schedule. A planned test for the joint CPS/LRHW
programme at Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida in March 2023 was scrapped when a battery
failed during a prelaunch check, the navy'sDirector for Strategic Systems Programs, Vice Admiral
Johnny Wolfe, told lawmakers at the time.
Wormuth told reporters on 12 June that the scrapped test had not yet been rescheduled but “there is
a pathway” to do so. Still, the army is hoping for delivery by the end of FY 2023. “Putting together
the test architecture, if you will, is complex and involves a lot of moving parts and pieces, so it
takes a little bit of time to get that all back together again,” she said.
The navy is working alongside the army on the glide body part of the technology and is responsible
for the expected delivery of the AUR to the army later in 2023.
The testing issues are “frustrating”, said Lewis. The university unveiled its new Hypersonics and
Applied Research Facility (HARF), which he said will help industry and the government from
making “dumb failures”, or failures unrelated to the hypersonic technology itself. “What we have
seen in some recent failures is hypersonic systems that are failing, not because of the hypersonics
technology, but because of incidental issues, other issues, support issues,” he said.
The Hypersonic Pulse (HYPULSE) machine – equipment that formerly belonged to Northrop
Grumman and can be used to simulate temperature and velocities for hypersonic flight – may help
the government get a better understanding of physics before embarking on the expensive tests, he
said. “You're never going to eliminate risk entirely, but you're buying down risk.”
Wormuth reassured lawmakers on 19 April – a month after the failed test – that the tests had been
rescheduled and there would not be any delays. The battery that will eventually field the weapon
system has been training with the equipment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington State,

including practising moving onto a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, she noted. “I think we're
still going to be on track,” she said.
While the technology is still in development, the army is also working on the training and logistics
side.
The weapon's range is around 3,000 km, but being ground-based will impact the operational
capabilities of the equipment compared with its naval and air counterparts. While the weapon could
counter Chinese systems in the Pacific, in order to be an effective deterrent it would need to be
deployed within that area.
For this, the army is using its new Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTFs). The 1st MDTF's long-
range fires battalion deployed the LRHW during Exercise ‘Thunderbolt Strike' in March 2023. The
event was a rehearsal for expeditionary hypersonic launch capabilities, and army forces are “fully-
trained” on the technology, according to the service.
The army's next MDTF to be stood up doesn't have a location, General Charles Flynn, US Army
Pacific commanding general, told reporters in May 2023. Through a series of exercises in the
Pacific, called Operation ‘Pathways', the army said it has been rehearsing how to employ the
MDTF to best “jointly” utilise fires, including hypersonics.
“Having two multidomain task forces allow us to have a lot more depth and scale for the joint force
to do joint targeting, joint fires, [and] joint manoeuvre in support of the joint force,” Gen Flynn
said.
On 13 June Wormuth told reporters that the army was in conversations with partner countries about
the MDTF locations, including Japan. The existing MDTFs have been participating in regional
exercises like ‘Cobra Gold' in Thailand to help facilitate those conversations, she noted.
When asked if the army has the basing it needs to effectively employ the weapons, Gen Flynn told
reporters the service has basing available at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, and
on bases in Hawaii. The US has bases that are closer to mainland Asia, but it could be difficult to
find a state willing to host the weapons. Earlier in 2023, the Philippines and the US entered into an
agreement for four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.
When asked if Japan or the Philippines had given permission for the MDTFs to operate in their
territories, Army Chief of Staff General James McConville deferred to policymakers in the
Pentagon. “With the right situation, [the MDTFs] can move into the appropriate place for the
appropriate range and get the effects that our policymakers agree with,” said Gen McConville in
February 2023.
Wormuth said the additional EDCA sites did not have specific terms at that time, but called it a
positive step. The partnership “creates a lot of opportunities for us to do more with them”, she said.
Army Lieutenant General Robert Rasch, director of hypersonic, directed energy, space, and rapid
acquisition, told lawmakers on 10 March that the LRHW stationing decisions have yet to be made.
“Given the quantities that the army is currently prepared to procure for a total of three batteries,
supporting our [MDTF], those stationing decisions are ahead of us,” Lt Gen Rasch said.

Comment
Aside from technological and basing challenges, the use cases for hypersonic weapons are yet
unclear.
The CRS' February 2023 report suggested that Congress should seek “information about [the]
DoD's evaluation of potential mission sets for hypersonic weapons, a cost analysis of hypersonic
weapons and alternative means of executing potential mission sets, and an assessment of the
enabling technologies – such as space-based sensors or autonomous command and control systems
– that may be required to employ or defend against hypersonic weapons”.
At issue is how specific the mission set appears to be for hypersonic-speed weapons that can
manoeuvre within Earth's atmosphere. Most missions do not require the combined high levels of
speed and manoeuvrability – slower cruise missiles can strike less time-sensitive targets and
ballistic missiles (which can travel at hypersonic speeds) can strike time-sensitive targets.
Aside from their speed or timeliness, the other argument in favour of manoeuvrable hypersonic
weapons is that they can evade long-range (mid-course – meaning outside the atmosphere) missile
defences, but legacy intercontinental ballistic missiles are extremely difficult to intercept.
CBO summarised in its January 2023 report, “Hypersonic missiles would probably not be more
survivable than ballistic missiles with maneuverable warheads in a conflict, unless the ballistic
missiles encountered highly effective long-range defenses.” China and Russia both have known
development programmes, but only the United States is known to have fielded a mid-course
ballistic missile defence system – although it is meant for a limited mission set focused on simple
North Korean ballistic missiles without complex countermeasures or MaRVs.
62. France test-fires first hypersonic demonstrator

France test-fired its hypersonic demonstrator vehicle for the first time on 26 June, the Directorate
General of Armaments (DGA) announced.
The DGA on 26 June launched a test rocket carrying the VMaX hypersonic glide vehicle demonstrator. (DGA)
2049005

The VMaX hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) demonstrator was launched from a ground-based
rocket at the Biscarosse test facility on the southern French Atlantic coast.
“This first demonstrator contained many onboard technological innovations. Its flight test, on a
very demanding long-range trajectory, was an unprecedented technical challenge that paves the
way for the future of our national hypervelocity road map,” the DGA said.
According to the DGA, technical analyses of the data recovered from the test are under way to
draw lessons for the continuation of the experimental flights.
While technical details pertaining to the VMaX have not been released, it is understood to fly at
Mach 5, which is the gateway speed for hypersonic capability. News of the test was disclosed
shortly after imagery was posted online showing irregular contrails high in the sky over the test
site.
Comment
With its VMaX HGV, France is one of a number of countries now pursuing hypersonic
technologies to advance their own global strike capabilities while dramatically reducing the time of
their adversaries to react.
As the leader in the field, the US has been working on its Tactical Boost Glide, Hypersonic Air-
Breathing Weapon Concept, Conventional Prompt Strike, AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid
Response Weapon, Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (also called Dark Eagle), Hypersonic Attack
Cruise Missile, Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Increment II, and Operation Fires programmes.
As well as France and the US, Australia has its Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research
Experiment programme; Brazil its 14-X PropHiper programme; China its Dongfeng-17 (DF-17),
Xing Kong-2 (Starry Sky-2), and the undesignated HGV programmes; Germany its as yet unnamed
hypersonic anti-tank guided weapon; India its BrahMos II and Hypersonic Technology
Demonstrator Vehicle programmes; Japan its Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile programme; North
Korea its Hwasong-8 and HGV-1/HGV-2 programmes; South Korea its Hycore programme; Russia
its Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (‘Dagger'), Avangard (Project 4202), and 3M22 Tsirkon (or Zircon or
Haoshi) programmes; and the UK its as yet unnamed hypersonic air-to-air missile programme.
63. India identifies prioritised next-generation

technologies
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has released a list of 75 priority
technologies for the Indian Armed Forces. The list – issued by the DRDO on 27 June – is intended
to guide industry's research and development (R&D) efforts, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD)
said.

The technology list puts emphasis on technologies including command, control, communications,
computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR); space; emerging and disruptive
technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML); and unmanned systems
including swarms, counter-swarm technologies, and quantum technologies.
The technologies are further divided into 403 categories, which then spread out to 1,295 current
and future development tasks, the MoD said.
The DRDO also disclosed a series of initiatives to support the development of the prioritised
technologies. These measures include R&D to leverage AI for image and video analytics, satellite
sensor data processing to enhance intelligence, detection and creation of synthetic images and
videos, and natural language processing. DRDO laboratories are also conducting R&D to build
animal cyborgs; loitering munitions swarms; and unmanned aerial, ground, and underwater
vehicles for surveillance, target acquisition, and combat.
In addition, the DRDO is engaged in projects to develop encryption for military internet of things
(IoT), post-quantum cryptography, multispectral electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors for ISR,
brain-computer interface that can use electroencephalogram (EEG) to control unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs), hyperspectral technologies, and AI-based command-and-control applications.
R&D activities focused on space include development of spaceborne sensors for underwater
detection, ground- and space-based optical and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors for
space situational awareness, geolocation techniques for electronic intelligence (ELINT),
technologies to enable jamming of space assets, a space-based high-power laser, and EO sensors
for tracking low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Other technology areas prioritised by the DRDO include wargaming, propulsion technologies,
missile systems, aerodynamics, ammunition, and guided artillery.
Comment
The DRDO technology list is one of several recent initiatives announced by the Indian MoD to
encourage the local development of capabilities including C4ISR, space, and other emerging
technologies.
In July 2022 the MoD unveiled 75 new AI technologies developed by the Indian Army and
industry. The MoD said each service in the Indian Armed Forces has allocated INR1 billion
(USD12 million) towards the implementation of AI technologies and products. An additional 100
AI-based products were “in various stages of development”, the MoD added.
The MoD also launched 75 space technology challenges in October 2022 seeking a range of
solutions from industry to support the operations of the Indian Armed Forces and the Defence
Space Agency (DSA).

64. NIAG study group explores future SEAD capability

options
Author: Richard Scott, London
A NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) has been established to explore airborne electronic
attack (AEA)/suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) concepts and technologies that could meet
alliance needs for 2030 and beyond.
SEAD will be a key mission of the Eurofighter EK being developed for Germany, as evidenced by the Advanced Anti-
Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
2014488
Chartered through the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), the NIAG Study
Group 286 (SG-286) on SEAD Capabilities held a kick-off meeting during May. The study activity,
lasting for approximately 18 months, will deliver a capability audit against NATO's previously
drafted AEA and SEAD concepts of employment (CONEMPs).
NATO's Wales summit in 2014 agreed to a defence planning package with a priority for demanding
air operations to inform defence investments and to improve the capabilities available in allied
national inventories. Vision papers for AEA and SEAD, both approved by the CNAD in 2018,
identified four principal focus areas: diversity of effects, survivable delivery systems, co-ordinated
information capture and exchange, and synchronisation of effects. CONEMPs were subsequently
developed for both AEA and SEAD, with these approved in 2020.
Speaking at the AOC Europe 2023 conference in Bonn on 17 May, Alex DeFazio, NATO's
capability area facilitator for AEA and SEAD, said the capability audit process is intended to
evaluate what sort of AEA/SEAD capabilities are feasible by the end of the decade, and to inform
and influence the NATO defence planning process. “Based on what we say we need in 2030, [we
will ask ourselves] what do we currently have now in hand,” he told delegates. “Then we will
compare those results and do a gap analysis [and then] we will figure out how we get the stuff that
we don't have right now.”
DeFazio added that SG-286 – involving over 40 companies from 12 countries – was now beginning
to review capabilities against the CONEMPs. “We've asked those industry experts what they think
is in [the] realm of the possible by 2030, and what have we missed in the CONEMPs that could be
relevant as we move this road map forward.

“We want their recommendations on what capabilities we should be pursuing. And then we'll take
on board those recommendations to try and [influence] how we do our NATO defence planning
process.”
SG-286 is scheduled to complete its work at the end of 2024. Alongside the NIAG study, a team of
subject matter experts largely drawn from the NATO Air Force Armaments Group is providing
NATO electronic warfare (EW) support to SEAD (NEWS) input to the capability audit. A key part
of this work is examining integrated threat environments, and different technology options with
regard to platform types, weapon concepts, and jamming techniques.
“The next step will be the gap analysis,” said DeFazio. “The NEWS team will be part of that [and]
we'll use modelling and simulation being offered from the United States to try to help the NATO
defence planners ‘fine-tune' their assumptions when they do the stress testing of the minimum
capability requirements. We will also look to industry to help us with solutions that address areas
highlighted in the gap analysis.”
The outputs of the capability audit study will also inform further updates to policy and doctrine.
“That's starting to happen already,” said DeFazio. “We've seen changes in NATO SEAD doctrine,
changes in our policies, [and] we now have a new NATO Electromagnetic Spectrum strategy. All
that came out of the questions arising from the CONEMPs and vision paper.”
Comment
NATO is working to rebalance and modernise AEA/SEAD capabilities within the alliance to be
able to deliver diverse kinetic and non-kinetic effects against increasingly capable and resilient
integrated air-defence systems. A Royal United Services Institute paper, ‘Regenerating Warfighting
Credibility for European NATO Air Forces’, published in February this year concluded that no
European NATO air forces currently have sufficient expertise or the required munitions stocks to
conduct SEAD at scale.

INFOWATCH
(Current Awareness Service)
इनफोवॉच
(सामियक अिभगम् सेवा)
Vol. 1, Issue 9, 01-15 May 2018
News items/Recent Developments in Military Science & Technology

(From Jane’s Magazine)
tsUl if=dkvksa ls ladfyr lSU; foKku ,oa izks|ksfxdh ds {ks= esa
rRdkyhu fodkl@lekpkj
DESIDOC-LIB-2023-0001
Compiled by
Defence Science Library (DSL)
Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre
Delhi - 110 054 Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre
Tele: 011-23902504/06; Fax: 011-23819151 Defence Research & Development Organisation
E-mail: libservices.desidoc@gov.in, services@desidoc.deldom Ministry of Defence, Metcalfe House, Delhi - 110 054
Contents Extracted from Jane's Group Online

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INFOWATCH

(Current Awareness Service)

News items/Recent Developments in Military Science & Technology

SNo. Article Title Page

Armaments & Combat Engineering Systems

Electronics & Communication Systems

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Page i

31 DARPA's Project Otter explores VLEO capabilities 48

Micro Electronic Devices, Computational Systems and Cyber Systems

Missiles & Strategic Systems

Naval Systems & Materials

62 France test-fires first hypersonic demonstrator 132

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Page iii

1. Update: Luftwaffe selects Saab to provide

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 1

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 2

2. Paris Air Show 2023: Airbus pitches ‘multimission'

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 3

3. Hanwha contracted to improve South Korean C-130s

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 4

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 5

4. Paris Air Show 2023: New MALE UAV prototype

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 6

5. US, India agree on F414 engine co-production

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 7

A keystone of the accords is a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between GE Aerospace

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 8

6. India confirms AoN to acquire 31 MQ-9Bs

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 9

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 10

7. RoC Army modifies new reconnaissance UAVs for

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 11

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 12

8. Paris Air Show 2023: Turkish Aerospace debuts

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 13

MUM-T is a capability increasingly being showcased on new platforms as battlefield

9. Upgraded JASDF E-767s to have EW, enhanced

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 14

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 15

10. Paris Air Show 2023: AVIC unveils Wing Loong-

The WL-10A is a characterised high-altitude and high-speed electronic reconnaissance unmanned

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 16

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 17

11. China expands fleet of anti-submarine Z-20F

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 18

12. Canada approved for Poseidon MMA

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 19

Armaments & Combat Engineering

13. Watt power: EDA trials novel soldier-sized fuel

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 20

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 21

The EDA is looking for additional partners to participate, Fasano said.

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 22

14. Mahindra set to deliver light vehicles to Indian

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 23

15. South Korea plans local transmission for fourth

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 24

DAPA has been trying to indigenise K2 MBTs for nearly a decade.

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 25

16. South Korea orders second mass production of

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 26

17. Hanwha plans to participate in India's FICV, light

Defence Science Library, DESIDOC Back to “TOC” Page 27