www.militaar.net

This morning Rheinmetall informed COMBAT & SURVIVAL Magazine that Lockheed Martin UK has contracted with Rheinmetall’s Defence arm to manufacture the turret structures for the British Army’s new Scout SV (Specialist Vehicle) Reconnaissance vehicle. The order, issued in London, is worth a total of €130 million and covers production of up to 245 units. Rheinmetall also participated significantly in the preceeding technical demonstration phase.

According to the company's Head of Public Relations, once again the Düsseldorf-based Group is "playing a pivotal role in a highly significant army technology programme in Europe, underscoring its comprehensive competence and ability to act in partnership with two international defence giants – General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin".

The Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV) is a medium-weight armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It will replace the British Army's Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) or CVR(T) family of vehicles, which have been in service since the 1970s, and is intended for use in all current and future scenarios, ranging from peace enforcement and peacekeeping missions to high-intensity combat operations. The Scout SV programme, which General Dynamics UK is responsible for design, engineering and manufacturing in its capacity as prime contractor, with the technology leading turret solution of Lockheed Martin UK and Rheinmetall will deliver significant improvements in combat capability, survivability and operational effectiveness for the British Army's infantry. Rheinmetall has extensive, longstanding experience in developing and manufacturing turret systems, making it the ideal cooperation partner for Lockheed Martin UK in the Scout Specialist Vehicle programme. Rheinmetall’s expertise, paired with Lockheed Martin’s experience in reconnaissance sensor systems, fire control units and guidance technology, make the team one of the market leader in turret technology.

The Scout SV Base Turret System is a major success story in European defence cooperation. A member of the Scout SV team since 2010, in its capacity as subcontractor Rheinmetall has been in charge first of design and engineering, and now of producing, the turret structure and weapon mount (TSWM) for the Scout SV Base Turret System, a state-of-the-art 40mm medium-calibre turret solution. The first production unit is scheduled for July 2016.

The contract award for the supply of 245 Scout SV TSWM units will mainly benefit to Rheinmetall Defence Group’s Kassel plant, where fabrication as well as final assembly will take place. It is also excellent news for the Rheinmetall’s German supply chain.

Lockheed Martin UK has contracted with Rheinmetall’s Defence arm to manufacture the turret structures

erick kirjutas:Praegu kasutuses olev rakett anti teenistusse aastal 1995. Peamine uuendus on parem tarkvara ja rollover sensor, mis raketi lennuomadusi märgatavalt parandasid. Aga näib, et sensorpakett on püsinud muutumatuna alates aastast 1981.

Eelmisel aastal alustati Stinger rakettide "elupikendusprotsessi", eesmärgiks hoida need raketid veel 10 aastat kasutuskõlblikud. Sisuliselt vahetatakse välja komponendid mille eluiga hakkab läbi saama ja lisatakse proximity-fuse. Aga... sensorpaketti ei uuendata.

Ehk siis lätlased ostsid endale aegunud tehnoloogiaga raketi, mis tõenäoliselt kümne aasta pärast teenistusest maha kantakse.

Kilo Tango kirjutas:Ma selle pärast väga ei põeks. Polnud venelastel 80-datel õiget rohtu varasema sensoripaketiga Stingerite vastu, ei ole neil ka praegu rohtu selle 90-datel Block I sensorpaketi ja uuendatud tarkvara vastu. Niikuinii on lühimaaraketiga laskmine tõenäosuslik projekt.

erick kirjutas:Artikleid läbi lapates jäi meelde, et Stinger kasutab 4x4 infrapunasensorite grid'i, samas kui moodsad raketid kasutavad 128x128 või enamgi. Parem resolutsioon võimaldab lennumasina infrapunasignatuuri paremini tuvastada, vältida decoysid ja tagab parema trackingu. Moodsatest sensorpakettidest on Stingeri oma seega vähemalt 32x maas juba.

Keegi ei proovi väita, et Stinger on kasutu lahendus - lihtsalt oma kasutusaja lõpusirgel olev. Miks sellisesse asja investeerida, millel enam tulevikku pole, jääb segaseks.

erick kirjutas:Uut sensorpaketti ei tule. 2002 pidi tulema, aga rahapuudusel lükati edasi. Eespool panin viite ka. Raketi arendamine on lõpetatud tänase seisuga, peab oma 10a veel teenistuses vastu ja ongi kõik.

Sensorpaketi muutmine tooks Stingeri puhul kaasa nii palju lisakulusid (uus tarkvara, uus riistvara, uued akud, rääkimata võimalikest mõjudest raketi aerodünaamikale kui tasakaalukese ja kaal oluliselt muutuma peaksid), et keegi ei hakka sellega vaeva nägema mingi vaevu 10a teenistuseaja nimel. Lihtsam ja efektiivsem on uus rakett välja töötada.