Kal

keep in mind, the f22 was built using 800nm chips, which were out of production by the time development of the f22 transitioned to production. and using nm as a proxy, 80nm chips would be 100 times more dense than 800nm chips.

Keeping proven chips in production would generally be a bigger issue for the military, than having the latest and greatest.

Russia can produce 65nm chips,  sure that not economically competitive use of silicon, for digital circuitry, but it is still an economically competitive for mixed (digital and analog combined) circuitry.  which is appropriate for general military use. 

Once chips need to communicate with the outside world at outside world voltages, the older silicon remains relevant.

https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/17441/ti-to-construct-new-300-mm-chip-fab

new 45-65nm fabs are still being built.

It is expected that Richard Marles from Geelong will become the new defense minister in Australia. (incoming Labor government)

Orlan drone carry a Canon.

10 minutes ago, Ramlaen said:

Lets not kid ourselves, Poland is not going to buy K2 at this point unless it is the only option.

I could see Poland maintaining some local tank production capacity.  Korean company would be happy with that, not all doctrine want heavy weight tank only.

On 5/2/2022 at 3:52 PM, Jesh said:

The army preferred the redback based on performance, but the minister for defence wanted the lynx because it was in or near his electorate. I have red this on a few defence reporting sites and was just wondering if anyone can confirm if there was any truth to this? 

Rheinmetall is basically in Qld's labor premier's electorate, and has been keenly supported by the Qld premier, as a Qld I have had the impression that Dan Andrews ignored Redback until very recently whereas, Annastacia has strongly supported the Lynx the entire bid.  Fed minister of defense is indeed about 2 electorates away from Rheinmetall, so ready commuting distance, but nothing too special.  To tour the facility would be easy for him, so Lynx is far more real for his reality.

The minister of defense could not have avoided noticing the difference in support from the respective state governments for Lynx and Redback.  And would be far more confident that Qld would deliver, closer to on time, and on budget than Vic.   But the bigger issue is brand.  Rheinmetall is strong brand, who is Hanwha?

Having said that, by the numbers Redback should have superior ride (rubber band tracks have about double the tension as steel segment tracks, extra road wheel, wider stance, more depth due to suspension not having torsion bars reducing space), so anyone going for ride will immediately prefer redback, Ceteris paribus

On 4/20/2022 at 8:07 AM, Clan_Ghost_Bear said:

https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/

IMHO, due to proportions, the sig sauer spear will not succeed as a replacement for the m4. A 13" barrel in a 34" rifle.  with a chamber pressure rated to 80,000 pounds.  what could go wrong???

I can appreciate that it fulfills procurement's idea of the desired weapon,  but it feels about as sensible as subsonic Nato 556.

lets see if any service can get its hands on the True Velocity/Beretta RM277.  It seemed to include both closed bolt semi auto, open bolt full auto.

The longer this goes on, the less that RHM is the default choice.  I can't predict which way the May elections will go, but if labor wins, they are likely to be even more penny wise, pound foolish than the liberals (conservative).

DejaVu?, after the floods of 2011, the Julia Gillard government cancelled the award for the Korean K9, in what had effectively been a competition between the German PzH 2000 and the Korean K9.  which we would later buy a decade later for a much higher price as the earlier price was a special deal for breaking into the international market...

Tasmania's largest-ever land defence contract win - Australian Defence Magazine

"Three Tasmanian advanced manufacturing companies will deliver millions of dollars for the Tasmanian economy following the recent Land 8116 Phase 1 announcement by Hanwha Defense Australia and the Australian Government. The signing of an agreement with Hanwha to build Australia's next-generation self-propelled artillery systems will see local companies such as CBG Systems, Elphinstone Pty Ltd and Penguin Composites provide key systems and components to the project."

"Elphinstone will produce the hull and turret structures"

this is about the Aussie K9, but it also holds for Hanwha's intent for the Redback.

interesting contrast in headlights

]

picture says a thousand words,

slat armour and exhaust muffler

2 redbacks and 2 lynx  in that video?

3 shots in approx 30 seconds, K9 155mm artillery

The Land 400 Phase 3 RMA path - Australian Defence Magazine

"Prior to the start of the user trials, a Lynx and a Redback were displayed side by side outside Defence headquarters on 12 March, both weighing in at more than 40 tonnes and towering over a well-preserved example of the M113AS4 that they’re competing to replace. The user trials will continue until October, when the project will move to a final evaluation phase.

Test locations include the High Range training area outside Townsville during the wet season, and the 2,100 square kilometre Cultana combined arms training area in South Australia at the height of summer.

According to Defence, the test vehicles will have been delivered to the trials “in a configuration representative of their tendered configuration with any exceptions agreed to by Defence and documented in the RMA contracts that Defence has signed with each tenderer”."

the guaranteed winner is

Bisalloy hosts Hanwha for site tour and talks | Bisalloy

Bisalloy and Rheinmetall Teaming Agreement Extended | Bisalloy

Elphinestone LAND FORCES 2021 - Elphinstone & Hanwha team for Redback IFV hull fabrication | ADBR for hull fabrication.

50 tonne vehicles,  Elphinestone's sweet spot, 52 tonnes operating mass R2900 LHD (+17 more for payload)

EDITORIAL || An even money chance for the North-West to win big | The Advocate | Burnie, TAS

https://youtu.be/OltnuP4SuJI

2 hours ago, DIADES said:

 I anticipate an early end to RMA and an early call on the winner.  

I was actually thinking that would be a good idea anyway, both seem excellent options, call for sharpened pencils and start manufacture anyway.  the m113 has long been effectively a capbility gap.

8 hours ago, Rico said:

Is there any current feeling/rumours/in between statements how Redback and Lynx are doing and which one is doing better?

don't know, it kinda feels like both have potential to make it to the finish line, barring some unfortunate self sabotarge ie, Redback's exhaust, Lynx's ammunition.

my understanding of phase 3 land 400, is that its easy to demonstrate multiple configurations and options, but the sales pitch is to about a sole particular best option.  I would consider it for australia to be demonstration of the better suited for Australia between the T2000 and the Elbit system, but could still be relevant for other countries looking for a in use, global solution.

according to DTR  DTR JUNE 2021 (partica.online) marketing, Hanwha will be demonstrating 2 turrets for Land 400 phase 3 RMA.  Both the Elbit

 MT30 and the EOS T2000.

good for height scale

 Wow, so nearly a tripling of Australia's tank weight fleet.