Laser Shark

More on the RNLA/Dutch CV9035NL MLU:
 
 

Iranian IRGC Aerospace forces exercises. Cool footage of their SRBM/MRBM (stolen from Yuri Lyamin's LJ)
 
 

 
 
   Launches of Dezful and Zolfaghar missiles, which have guided warhead.

 
 

   Warhead part
 
 

Fırtına II 

A guy in Eastern Bohemia was searching for historical remnants with a metal detector... he found 338 mortar rounds from WW2 burried some 1,5 meters deep underground. The article states it's 82 mm calibre, i.e. Soviet one. There were partizan units operating in these forests at the end of the war. Could be their ammo dump even though that would have to be from the last days of war because normally they used ony small arms and explosives in this area (the most prominent group active in that forest was an intelligence unit of Soviet 1st Ukrainean front lead by major Charitonov enlarged by escaped POWs, people from death marches, local resitance members but it was not the only group active in the area). 
 
Photos in the article: https://www.idnes.cz/pardubice/zpravy/miny-munice-pyrotechnici-druha-svetova-valka-hledaci.A210125_115252_pardubice-zpravy_skn

U.S. Ordnance M2A2N with the new HMG-M softmount from Rheinmetall Norway. It will replace the older .50 cals (the oldest ones are from 1940) in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
 

NK "OICW"

 
   Other pew pewers
 

CV9035NL MLU

 




Hi-Res Version

 

When GP is RPG

AS21 rollout:
 
 

Switzerland has decided to fund a lifetime extension program for the SPz 2000 (CV9030 Mk. 2):
 
 
Source: https://www.monch.com/mpg/news/land/7792-life-extension-programme-for-swiss-cv90.html

It will according to Raytheon:
 
"The Raytheon High Mobility Launcher (HML) that will be provided for LAND 19 Phase 7B has also been upgraded with the same common launch rail and new electronics as the Mark 2 canister launcher. The launcher raises the missiles up to 30 degrees and can be rotated 360 degrees, and will give the HML a multi-missile capability for the AMRAAM, AIM-9X Block 2, and AMRAAM-ER.
 
Source: https://www.raytheon.com/sites/default/files/2019-04/ADBR_WorldLeader!_Land19_Supplement.pdf?linkId=66006150
 

As far as Norway is concerned, it looks like the future anti-aircraft battery/batteries of the Norwegian Army are going to consist of a mix of maneuver SHORAD (ACSV G5 with IRIS-T SL*) and NASAMS III with High Mobility Launchers. The latter has also been acquired by Australia in addition to cannister launchers, but theirs will be based on the Hawkei PMV instead of the HMMWV.
 

 
* I also would not be surprised if the SHORAD vehicle will also be outfitted with a H&K GMG and programmable ammunition similar to the C-UAS solution selected by Germany. In the latest image I've seen of this vehicle, it has both an RWS and a pintle mount FN MAG, and although the image is too small for me to be able to tell what sort of weapon is mounted in the RWS, I suspect it's a GMG since it seems a bit excessive for such a vehicle to carry 2 MGs (even if they are of different caliber).

The Protector family, now with new designations:
 

The Protector family, now with new designations:
 

In the past weeks a few relevant decisions have been revealed and news regarding other plans/developments were released.
 
The second batch of Puma infantry fighting vehicles will not be ordered next year. Originally it was planned to place an order in October 2020, but only if the industry proves that the Puma is on the right path of development - by showing that there were no issues with the upgraded VJTF 2023 variant. Apparently there were issues - lack of certain specialized tools, incomplete technical document and technical issues with the MELLS (Spike-LR) launcher of all things - and thus the second batch hasn't been ordered yet. The industry has time to fix all issues until February 2021.
 
The second batch of Puma IFVs (depending on source either 229 or 266 vehicles) will be ordered at the earliest in 2022. In September 2020 the industry was asked to make an offer for upgrading all currently existing Puma IFVs to the Puma S1 configuration. A contract is expect to be signed mid-2021.
 
 
There are positive news though. The availability/readiness/reliability of the Puma has been increased successfully after a special support agreement had been signed with the industry in mid-2020. While the Puma had a readiness of last year's readiness was about 30%, it is now about 50% using the Bundeswehr's methodology - in the media some people considers this methodology flawed.
 
Basically the Bundeswehr only counts the readiness of vehicles currently assigned and delivered to its own units. If a vehicle is sent back for maintenance/upgrades/refurbishment, the Bundeswehr excludes it from its statistics. IMO that makes some sense, as show by the readiness rate of the Leopard 2.  It remained constant at above 70%, but due to the fact that not all Leopard 2s are currently in the German Army's units (and instead being upgraded or maintained) this corresponds to 115 combat ready tanks - or 44% of the total inventory of 263 tanks. It is worth nothing that last year 107 out of 244 Leopard 2 tanks were combat ready. The increased total inventory (19 more tanks than last year) probably shows that the upgrade of old Leopard 2A4 tanks to the new 2A7V standard has started (and hence they are all at KMW's & Rheinmetall's facilities).
 
Three days ago the German BAAINBw and its Dutch counterpart have signed an agreement for the modernization/mid-life upgrade of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled gun that aims to increase service life to at least 2040. Germany is responsible for selecting the solution and signing the contract.
 
There also have been new developments regarding the SHORAD systems that Germany plans to procure as part of the NNbS project. First of all, Diehl presented its new IRIS-T SLS Mark III system, which is based on the Eagle V 6x6 variant and contains two slightly angled up shafts each containing two IRIS-T missiles. Two radar options - either SAAB's Giraffe 1X or Hensoldt's Spexer X-band radar - are offered. The vehicle will be equipped with the Fortion battlefield management system from Airbus (already in service for MANTIS and LeFlaSys) and a FLW 200 remote weapon station for self-defence.
 

 
The high-maneuverability of the IRIS-T missile enables the vehicle to provide 360° protection despite its fixed launchers. It is also claimed to be able to engage targets while on the move. Lock-on before launch with the missiles is only possible in a small sector (i.e. against targets facing the launcher), otherwise the system will utilize lock-on after launch.
At first I thoughgt this was meant for export customers, but according to the association of the German military's reserve (i.e. the Verband der Reservisten der Deutschen Bundeswehr e.V.), the Bundeswehr apparently plans to buy a SHORAD missile system based on a protected vehicle. In the German Army's lingo, protected vehicles include the Enok, Dingo and Eagle, while heavier vehicles are considered armored vehicles.
 
I am not entirely sure what to think about it. In the relevant blogs and forums,a  lot of people complained about Diehl's solution. I don't think it's perfect, but I also don't consider it horrible. I wouldn't have minded something along the lines of the Swedish Robotsystem 98 (IRIS-T SLS on BVS 206) but with integrated radars. I also would have liked some cooperation with Norway, who purchase a similar system based on the Armored Combat Support Vehicle (refurbished M113 upgraded with parts from the FFG G5).
 
Meanwhile Rheinmetall has presented its new Skyranger 30 turret. There are some speculations whether this is also meant for the NNbS project or solely aimed at export; the Skyranger 35 turret on the Boxer has been aimed at and marketed for the NNbS project, but apparently not everyone liked it (at least of the public commenters; I have seen no official statements).

 
 
The new Skyranger 30 turret is armed with a 30 x 173 mm autocannon with high rate-of-fire (1,200 rounds per minute), a coaxial machine gun and two MANPADS. It features at least four AESA radar panels, an optical sight for target tracking and an IRST system for target detection/tracking. 200 rounds of main gun ammo are carried within, the maximum gun elevation is 85°. It apparently weighs only 2.5 tonnes (so it has to be unmanned) and is expected to cost between €5 and €7 millions.
 
I don't see anything wrong with this turret, it probably would be the ideal go-to solution for NNbS lower tier anti-drone & air-defence system (with IRIS-T SLS covering the upper tier). But the old Gepard fraction with their nostalgia glasses seem to dislike it, mostly because of the gun caliber. They also has lots of reasons to complain about the previous variant with 35 mm gun though...
 
Speaking of the Gepard: the last (?) 15 ex-German Gepards have been sold by KMW to Qatar.
 
 
 

ACSV G5
 

ACSV G5
 

Offisersbladet claims that the US Army is consdiering the K9 Thunder for their forces in South Korea. I couldn't find any other source confirming this, so it seems dubious, but this is also the same journal that revealed that Germany had decided to acquire Trophy before that was made official too...
 
Source: https://dittmagasin.no/offisersbladet/utgivelser/offisersbladet_0520_flip (page 19)
 

Found a few higher resolution photographs from the recent North Korean military parade. We didn't have a topic for BEST KOREAN armored fighting vehicles, so here it is.
 
New main battle tank, Abrams-Armata clone based on Ch'ŏnma turret design (welded, box-shaped turret) and Sŏn'gun hull design (i.e. centerline driver's position). The bolts of the armor on the hull front is finally visible given the increased resolution. It might not be ERA given the lack of lines inbetween. Maybe is a NERA module akin to the MEXAS hull add-on armor for the Leopard 2A5?
 
Other details include an APS with four radar panels (the side-mounted radar panels look a lot different - and a lot more real - than the ones mounted at the turret corners) and twelve countermeasures in four banks (two banks à three launchers each at the turret front, two banks à three launchers on the left and right side of the turret). Thermal imagers for gunner and commander, meteorological mast, two laser warning receivers, 115 mm smoothbore gun without thermal sleeve but with muzze reference system, 30 mm grenade launcher on the turret, six smoke grenade dischargers (three at each turret rear corner)
 


 
IMO the layout of the roof-mounted ERA is really odd. Either the armor array covering the left turret cheek is significantly thinner than the armor on the right turret cheek or the roof-mounted ERA overlaps with the armor.
 


The first ERA/armor element of the skirt is connected by hinges and can probably swivel to allow better access to the track. There is a cut-out in the slat armor for the engine exhaust. Also note the actual turret ring - very small diameter compared to the outer dimensions of the turret.
 
Stryker MGS copy with D-30 field gun clone and mid engine:

Note there are four crew hatches. Driver (on the left front of the vehicle), commander (on the right front of the vehicle, seat is placed a bit further back), gunner (left side of the gun's overhead mount, next to the gunner's sight) and unknown crew member (right side of gun's overhead mount with 30 mm automatic grenade launcher mounted at the hatch). The vehicle also has a thermal imager and laser rangefinder (gunner's sight is identical to the new tank), but no independent optic for the commander. It also has the same meteorological mast and laser warner receivers as the new MBT.
 
What is the purpose of the fourth crew member? He cannot realistically load the gun...
 
The vehicle has a small trim vane for swimming, the side armor is made of very thin spaced steel that is bend on multiple spots, so it clearly is not ceramic armor as fitted to the actual Stryker.

 
The tank destroyer variant of the same Stryker MGS copy fitted with a Bulsae-3 ATGM launcher.
 

Note that there is again a third hatch with 30 mm automatic grenade launcher behind the commander's position. Laser warning receivers and trime vane are again stand-out features. The sighting complex for the Bulsae-3 ATGMs is different with a large circular optic (fitted with cover) probably being a thermal imager and two smaller lenses visible on the very right (as seen from the vehicle's point of view) probably containing a day sight and parts of the guidance system.
 

Non line-of-sight ATGM carrier based on the 6x6 local variant of the BTR, again fitted with laser warning receivers and a trim vane. There are only two hatches and two windows, but there is a three men crew inside.
 
 
There are a lot more photos here, but most of them are infantry of missile system (MLRS' and ICBMs).

Concept image of an AS9 Huntsman (K9A1 variant for Australia) with additional armour, new headlights (similar to the ones on the Redback) and an RWS:
 

 
Source: https://www.janes.com/amp/hda-shows-concept-images-of-as9-sph-and-as10-aarv-for-australian-army/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2

Estonian CV90s, including one that is based on a Mk I hull acquired from Norway. No clue about the role of this particular vehicle, but whatever it is, it’s probably intended to be an interim solution until a proper rebuild can be carried out (I mean, there aren't any periscopes on that MG post and the rear cupola doesn't have one in the front centre, so forward visibility must be very bad for the commander when buttoned up…). As to when that might happen, I do not know. Estonia did launch a tender on the reconstruction of the Mk I hulls back in August 2017, but in January of last year, it was announced that they had rejected all of the offers.
 

I find that somewhat hard to believe considering that German SOF selected the HK416A7 instead of a Haenel.