Ramlaen

2 hours ago, Renegade334 said:

@Ramlaen: Is that an AN/VVR-4 LWR jutting out just behind the turret cheek?

 

 

On the SEPv4? Yes it has them on all four turret corners.

Looks legit, it has the new CITV.

Elbit America's facebook has larger versions of the images.

7 hours ago, Cheburashka said:

Can somebody please give me a quick rundown on frontal sensors starting from the inner side(from the barrel). I believe that the outmost one is the Trophy radar?

The innermost sensor, the tan rectangle with many lenses, appears to be an Elbit laser warning receiver.

https://aiaa.zoom.us/rec/play/_jyAWGhyN9qUx5p11-77EymLmgHu_-hF4RA54Lpf_dR2yNCKqMA8iN-43bs5G8LU9y1k6E4GKHKrkn4A.KilcqUZ28eiJsAqL?startTime=1662573510000&_x_zm_rtaid=E69hOQ8DQPewzuVZLEdi_g.1662755482920.fa818504f6fad47be9543d7bab2b1ed4&_x_zm_rhtaid=44&utm_campaign=ASCEND2022&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=225575433&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8uzlGMyIWLqSoG57XDvIJZvIy4dDHRKbq-aQR1c84aEvCBi-G48mXmTFD30E_2iM-axhAyyGOnHK491m_7IJrs5CVGdg&utm_content=225575433&utm_source=hs_email

On 8/29/2022 at 1:38 PM, Ramlaen said:

https://www.ascend.events/ascendx/ascendx-nuclear-nuclears-future-role-in-space/

https://ldpdl.engr.tamu.edu/combined-laser-and-particle-beams-for-self-guided-beamed-propulsion/

Quote

This optically coupled particle and laser beam are governed by two fundamental coupling phenomena. The light guiding occurs due to the higher index of refraction inside the particle beam compared to the vacuum of space outside the beam. This same principle can be seen in step index fiber optic cables. The particle guiding requires the particles to be at very low (sub-Kelvin) temperatures to effectively couple the beams. Once the atoms are cold, the high intensity laser creates and potential “well” through a dipole force that the particles will stay trapped in unless they gain enough energy to escape the well [5].

https://insidedefense.com/insider/anduril-join-rheinmetall-omfv-bid

"Anduril Industries will provide command-and-control software for American Rheinmetall Vehicles' bid to build the Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, the companies announced Tuesday.

Anduril’s software will provide formation maneuver and threat detection as well as targeting capabilities for the joint bid for the OMFV, dubbed “Team Lynx,” which in addition to Rheinmetall includes Textron, Raytheon Technologies, L3Harris and Allison Transmission.

The OMFV is one of the Army’s top modernization priorities and would replace the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Anduril’s software will “significantly reduce the cognitive burden of the OMFV’s two soldier crew and provide them with next-generation tactical awareness, C2, and decisive lethality to dominate future battlefields,” Anduril head of strategy Zach Mears said in the announcement.

Anduril uses a common artificial intelligence-based operating system known as Lattice OS in its products.

“The partnership with Anduril brings to Team Lynx’s next-generation OMFV solution exceptional, additional innovations in software development, command and control, sensor integration and counter [unmanned aerial system] systems, further enabling the Lynx OMFV to provide operators capabilities not available anywhere else in the world,” said Matt Warnick, managing director at American Rheinmetall Vehicles."

https://www.ascend.events/ascendx/ascendx-nuclear-nuclears-future-role-in-space/

https://www.allisontransmission.com/company/news-article/2022/08/25/allison-transmission-awarded-6-million-contract-to-deliver-next-generation-electrified-transmission-to-u.s.-army

"Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions for tactical wheeled and tracked defense vehicles, and medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, has been awarded a $6.55 million contract by the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center to design, develop and test an electric hybrid sub-system in Allison’s Next Generation Electrified Transmission for armored combat vehicles.

The Next Generation Electrified Transmission is the newest product in Allison’s tactical ground combat vehicle portfolio. It features a 220 kilowatt electric motor and associated inverter for on-board vehicle power and parallel electric hybrid operation. Beyond power generation for auxiliary system capability development, the propulsion solution provides benefits realized in enhanced mobility performance and efficiency with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and reduced thermal and acoustic signatures."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/08/european-space-chief-says-continent-will-lead-in-space-based-solar-power/

Quote

Europe is seriously considering developing space-based solar power to increase its energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the leader of the European Space Agency said this week.

"It will be up to Europe, ESA and its Member States to push the envelope of technology to solve one of the most pressing problems for people on Earth of this generation," said Josef Aschbacher, director general of the space agency, an intergovernmental organization of 22 member states.

https://www.defensedaily.com/marine-corps-awards-bae-systems-88-million-for-turreted-variant-acv-test-vehicles/navy-usmc/

"The Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems an $88 million deal to build several of its turreted variant Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) for testing, the company said Monday. "

https://www.stratom.com/stratom-selected-by-us-army-to-develop-self-contained-standalone-system-for-rcv-l/

"Stratom, a leading developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, today announced the Army has awarded the company a contract to develop a personnel safety system for Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light.  

Known as the Perimeter Safety for Autonomous Vehicles (P-SAV) system, the robotic system will provide 360-degree sensor coverage and a computer system that leverages machine learning to intelligently identify objects close to the vehicle. Designed to be configurable for additional vehicle platforms, P-SAV will include newly developed ROS2-based software to communicate the appropriate information to the RCV’s operator and its computer system to execute appropriate behaviors. "

https://breakingdefense.com/2022/08/bullet-made-out-of-light-army-to-send-first-stryker-mounted-combat-laser-to-soldiers-in-next-45-days/

"

The US Army’s rapid capabilities office plans to deliver its first combat laser to Stryker units in next few weeks and is moving ahead with a project to mount a laser weapon on another vehicle, according to the office’s director.

Speaking at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala., Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood, head of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, said today the first battery of Directed Energy-Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) will go to an air defense battery at Fort Sill, Okla. in the next 45 days."

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3120524//

"General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, has been awarded a maximum $99,861,434 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/definite-quantity contract for M1 Abrams tank sight units with containers. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Alabama, with a Dec. 31, 2029, delivery completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2027 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-22-D-0050)."

Unknown if this is the new sights for the SEPv4.

https://sam.gov/opp/ede625f6657e4802a4f5ea2e11b0074d/view

Quote

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the Management and Operating Contractor of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for the Department of Energy (DOE), releases this Notice of Subcontracting Opportunity (Notice) where qualified parties are invited to submit detailed technical and price proposals in accordance with the requirements described in Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 02986312, which includes solicitation instructions along with draft contract scope, terms, conditions, and provisions relative to the subject opportunity. Interested parties are requested to carefully review the RFP binders provided, including its Statement of Work (SOW) document (and applicable documents thereto) to gain a better understanding of the procurement and project requirements. Interested parties are notified that BEA has established a proposal due date and time of April 30, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time for this action.
Scope of Work Overview/Objectives:
The scope of work and success objectives associated with this Notice include:
• Mature a prototype NTP reactor to a design level equivalent to 30% fidelity of the final design that demonstrates the design meets project requirements; is technically feasible; completes or identifies appropriate trades; determines performance and design margins for the reactor and subsystems; identifies cost and schedule to complete and test the prototype reactor; identifies risks; and the design and analyses are generally at a level to successfully conduct a 30% design review.
• Define the NTP engine system and subsystems fundamental operating and performance requirements and to produce a reactor design down to the subsystem level, including core and reactor subsystem mechanical design. The successful subcontractor(s) will be responsible for refining the reactor subsystem operating and performance requirements that will be integrated with the system-level requirements.
Minimum Requirements:

In order to responsively respond (propose) to the subject RFP, interested parties are directed to the instructional document included with the RFP binder. Included are detailed technical and price submittals requirements, including both mandatory (go/no-go) and evaluation (scored) criteria . In order to be considered qualified and responsive, proposing firms must meet the following mandatory requirements:
• Mandatory Requirement No. 1: The Offeror shall demonstrate that it or its teaming partner(s) has the experience and current capability to handle Special Nuclear Material (SNM) with the ability to obtain an NRC license required to perform the phased scope requirements described in the SOW, or that the Offeror or its teaming partner(s) can make arrangements to perform necessary fuel handling work at a DOE site with appropriate regulatory oversight.
• Mandatory Requirement No. 2: The Offeror shall demonstrate that it or its teaming partner(s) has the experience and current capability to fabricate and test applicable nuclear components. If a proposing firm cannot comply with the mandatory criteria described, they would be considered nonresponsive, would not be evaluated further, and thus would not be eligible for award of a contract.
Eligibility:
BEA invites participation in this Notice from those capable and qualified parties engaged in relevant reactor R&D and demonstration activities. Teaming arrangement are acceptable; however, they must be in the form of a subcontractor/sub-tier contractor relationship. Proposals shall be submitted from one subcontractor (the "prime" subcontractor) with the responsibilities and capabilities of the sub-tier subcontractors clearly stated in the proposal. Additionally, Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) will not be eligible to participate as teaming partners in response to this RFP. However, proposing firms can broadly identify scopes of work they would like FFRDCs to perform. FFRDC support to subcontractor(s) may be established under a separate government work order arrangement as agreed to by the parties.

https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2021/12-01-2021-rr-uk-space-agency-launches-first-study-into-nuclear-power.aspx

"Rolls-Royce has signed an innovative contract with the UK Space Agency for a study into future nuclear power options for space exploration. This first contract between both organisations represents an exciting opportunity to define and shape the nuclear power solutions required in space in the decades to come.

Rolls-Royce is the only company in the world with a singular focus on creating mechanical, electrical and nuclear power solutions that will be essential in tackling the challenges of the future. Space is one such challenging and growing sector in which Rolls-Royce believe power, propulsion and thermal management will play a significant role.

Dave Gordon, UK Senior Vice President, Rolls-Royce Defence, said: “We are excited to be working with the UK Space Agency on this pioneering project to define future nuclear power technologies for space. We believe there is a real niche UK capability in this area and this initiative can build on the strong UK nuclear network and supply chain.

“We look forward to developing this and other exciting space projects in the future as we continue to develop the power to protect our planet, secure our world and explore our universe” 

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said: “As we build back better from the pandemic, it is partnerships like this between business, industry and government that will help to create jobs and bring forward pioneering innovations that will advance UK spaceflight.  

“Nuclear power presents transformative possibilities for space exploration and this innovative study with Rolls-Royce could help to propel our next generation of astronauts into space faster and for longer, significantly increasing our knowledge of the universe.”

Rolls-Royce has a rich heritage in nuclear and is well positioned to lead this specific work package to define the future nuclear power solutions for space. The multi-domain applicability of emerging nuclear power solutions will mean the options outlined by Rolls-Royce will also have strong commercial and defence terrestrial use-cases, creating world-leading nuclear power capability for multiple markets and operator needs.

Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Space nuclear power and propulsion is a game-changing concept that could unlock future deep-space missions that take us to Mars and beyond.

“This study will help us understand the exciting potential of atomic-powered spacecraft, and whether this nascent technology could help us travel further and faster through space than ever before.”

Innovative power and thermal management alongside novel nuclear technologies, digital capabilities and engineering know-how have considerable application in Space; from the manufacturing and launch of space vehicles, to powering the increasing demand for on-orbit activities, in-situ resource utilisation and exploration. Rolls-Royce has existing, proven capability in these fields as well as significant experience in electrification and the provision of other high-density and sustainable power solutions, which will all support the growing space sector."

A crude comparison I made between a SEPv3 and an older Abrams.