Serge

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3013643.html
K9 in Norway

 
 

The Leopard 2A6EX was fitted with the MTU 883 engine.
 

 
As already said, Germany is interested in adopting a 1,200 kW engine on a follow-up upgrade to the Leopard 2A7V. In theory this could be a MTU 883 or an even more compact 893 engine.
 
 

Danish Leopard 2A7:
 


 
Note the applique armor plate at the lower hull front. This is new compared to the original tank:
 
 

additional armor module on the hull front improved torsion bars with a maximum qualified weight of 70 metric tons L55A1 gun (only some tanks) changed final drive ratio (slightly lower top speed, but higher acceleration) third gen thermal imager with high resolution integrated into the gunner's sight improved laser rangefinder with greater range new air conditioning system with integrated NBC protection system (the air conditioning adopted with the 2A7 upgrade requires a separate NBC protection system; however the old NBC protection system is kept to serve as air conditioning system for the driver) new ammo racks to hold the heavier DM11 HE-ABM ammo (on 2A7 this ammo could only be stored in certain racks) total refurbishment of all engines

It is part of the combat simulation system for training. The system has the odd name "GAMER" and is made by SAAB.
 

 
On the other side of the main gun is the Xtruder LED searchlight from WiseLED.

The UAE ordered ERA packages from the German manufacturer Dynamit Nobel Defence, which also provides ERA for the Puma. This Leclerc seems to be fitted with such ERA.

As you can see at 1:15, the DND ERA also covers the rear of the turret.
 
 
 

The first M1296 delivered to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
 

First 50 MMP missiles along with 20 firing post delivered to the French army
 

 
http://www.opex360.com/2017/11/30/les-50-premiers-missiles-moyenne-portee-ont-ete-livres/
 
The MMP is bound to replace the Milan, HOT, Javelin and a part of the ERYX with the planned delivery of 400 firing post and 1750 missiles by 2025.
 
http://www.mbda-systems.com/?action=force-download-attachment&attachment_id=14294

AMPV mortar carrier being tested at Yuma.
 

And a few photos:
 
And from a reservist brigade; a few photos of the interior:
 

Below the drum we see a schematics of the hull ammo rack, along with different colors and markings to tell which shells are where. 
The controller shows the number '6', which may indicate how many shells are left in the drum.

All the upgraded CV90s come with extra mine protection afaik.
 
 
I suppose that the main reason for why these are outfitted with 81mm mortars is probably because that’s all the Norwegian Army has atm, and acquiring new 120mm mortars + ammunition would have added too much costs.
 
With that being said, the VingPos Mortar Weapon System was developed on the request of the Norwegian Army, and it is designed to be able to accommodate both  81mm mortars and 120mm mortars, so  might be that they’re hoping on acquiring some eventually.

The RFP for the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle was finally published.

A new article from "Ynet News" adds new info on the Barak and other programs.
Just a reminder, Barak is an upgraded Merkava 4M. 
 
https://www.yediot.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5043863,00.html
 
It's in Hebrew, but I have taken upon myself to translate the important bits here (some new, some old, I will mark it):
 
1)The Barak weighs 70 tons. (new)
 
Ex: In Israel, exact figures are almost never given. It's not because it's OPSEC, but because that's the sort of mentality here. Only the engineers will handle that, and the plebs get rounded numbers. So it could mean about 69, or it could be 73. 
However up until now it's always been 60-65 tons, so we could see some solid amount of equipment added to the tank, which will be interesting. On the downside, it means weight reduction measures probably weren't taken and I shouldn't explain why excessive weight is bad.
 
2)Utilizes an AI-managed "mission computer". (new/old)
 
Ex: Okay so we've heard plenty of times that many actions will be automated, and that means AI. It was said however mostly in the context of the firing loop. Now they say the mission computer, otherwise known as BMS, will automatically manage certain comms with other assets that will also include the Namers and Eitans among others. Info that was previously manually input by the TC (commander). 
The AI will be able to make various decisions based on the targets it identifies, whether based on the optics or the APS, and advise the crew on certain actions, and make terrain-mapping related decisions such as pointing optimal firing positions or dangerous areas.
 
3)Female voice selected to alert crews via BMS. (new)
 
Ex: Easy to distinguish from a male voice, so it won't blend in with the crew's voices, and the crew will not ignore it (they tend to ignore messages from crewmen). Among the alerts it will give are "Missiles", "Short range ATGM", and "Turning over" which means it will not only alert the crew of the type of threat and thus approximate time to impact, but also of terrain related issues to minimize accidents.
 
4)It was tested as a fully autonomous vehicle. (new)
 
Ex: But there is no operational requirement, for obvious reasons, so it's merely a test. 
 
5)Hybrid powerplant. (new)
 
Ex: To cope with the higher weight and to save on fuel, hybrid is the way to go. This could also give it an amazing torque and make it a "little" speed demon. And as an environmentalist it really gives me some relief.
 
6)IronVision helmet system tested last month (October). (old)
 
Ex: I thought it was scheduled to be tested in April, but nonetheless it's good news it happened. The date for operational fielding has remained unchanged, and even rounded down to 2020, so there's no delay but a re-scheduling. 
 
7)IronVision to be tested soon on Company-sized force. (new)
 
Ex: Means less time required for full operational testing, if they segment the operational testing phases to do in parallel with the program.
 
8)Starting next year, 3 times as many Trophy-equipped vehicles will be manufactured as this year. (new)
 
Ex: While the production rate is still minimal, to keep the work stable and allow to double the output when needed urgently, the front-line units will benefit greatly and at a quick rate from this decision. It also comes in light of the recent contract for 1,000 Trophy systems, and the decision to not only equip the Namers and Eitans with it, but also the Merkava 3.
 
9)USA is purchasing 100 Trophy systems (brigade-sized). (new/old)
 
Ex: Some speculated on either possibility. Either the contract was merely for the support of the installation of systems, or for the purchase of a brigade-worth of systems. Now it's confirmed that they are indeed equipping an entire brigade.
 
 
 
Big wall of text, I know, so I give you here Brig. Gen. Baruch Matzliach holding Israel's big stick's big stick:
 

"Bombekaster på belter
Hæren og Forsvarsmateriell demonstrerte den nye CV90BK (bombekastervogn) på Rena. Digitalisert kommunikasjon mellom våpensystem er hovedstikkordet for økt kampkraft.  En stund lå tåken for tett over regionsfelt Østlandet til at demonstrasjonen kunne begynne. Det er nemlig ikke lov å øvelsesskyte uten klar sikt.
Telemark bataljon, Hærens våpenskole og Forsvarsmateriell beholdt imidlertid både roen og troen, og ikke langt tid etter lettet tåken. Dermed kunne de fremmøtte få se hva den nye CV90-typen hadde å by på.
RULLENDE BOMBEKASTER
Fire CV90 bombekastere sto klare. Alle fyrte av fem granater hver i retning av målet, som befant seg mellom to til tre kilometer unna.
Mortar Weapon Systems (MWS) er navnet på bombekastersystemet i vognen. Den store forskjellen fra eldre bombekastervogner er at innrettingen i CV90 er automatisk: MSW vet hvor det selv er, og i hvilken retning det peker.
MSW kommer dermed mye raskere til skudd etter at vognen er kjørt i stilling.
– BEDRE TREFFSIKKERHET
Fagsjef ved våpenskole, oberst Trond Haande, forteller at vognene vil tilføre Hæren en betydelig kapasitet innen beskyttelse og mobilitet.
De nye vognene gir også Hæren nye muligheter for å få ild på bakken i løpet av potensielt 1–2 minutter fra målet er observert, noe som er en betydelig oppgradering. 
– Takket være den nettverksbaserte kommunikasjonen mellom drone, stormpanservogn og CV90 bombekaster, oppnår Hæren bedre treffsikkerhet og utsetter personellet for mindre risiko enn før. Tidligere har informasjonen om målets plassering vært formidlet gjennom muntlig overføring. Nå kan dette skje elektronisk, sier oberst Haande.
– Vi i Forsvarsmateriell er glade for å ha levert CV90 bombekaster til Hæren. Dette gir økt kampkraft gjennom gode og fremtidsrettede tekniske og elektroniske systemer, sier Forsvarsmateriells delprosjektleder, Per Rune Hansen i Kampvognprosjektet. "
 
Translation:
"Mortars on tracks
Hæren and Forsvarsmateriell demonstates the new CV90BK (Mortar vehicle) at Rena. Digitized communication between the weapon systems is a important aspect of increased combat power. 
 
For awhile the fog laid too thick over the region of østlandet before demonstrations could start. It is not allowed to practice firing without clear sight.
 
Telemark bataljon, Hærens våpenskole and Forsvarsmateriell meanwhile kept their cool, and not long after, the fog lifts. This meant that the visitors could see what the CV90 variant was capable of.
 
ROLLING MORTAR
Four CV90 mortar vehicles stood ready. All fired off five shells in the direction of the target, which was between two to three kilometers away.
 
Mortar Weapon System (MWS) is the name of the mortar system on the vehicle. The big difference from the older Mortar vehicles is that the mortar system in the CV90 is automatic: MWS knows where it is, and in which direction it points. 
 
MWS comes with much faster rate of fire after the vehicle is in position. 
 
-BETTER ACCURACY
Head of weapons school, Colonel Trond Haande, explains that the vehicles will add considerable protection and mobility capacity to Hæren.
 
The new vehicles also gives Hæren new possibilities for rounds on the ground by potentially 1-2 minutes from the target is observed, which is a considerable upgrade.
 
-Because of the network based communication between drones, IFVs and CV90 Mortar vehicles, Hæren accomplices better accuracy and exposes personnel for less risk then before. Earlier, information about the target whereabouts had to be communicated verbally. Now it can happen electronically, says Colonel Haande.
 
-We in Forsvarsmatriell are happy to deliver the CV90 mortar vehicles to Hæren. This gives increased combat power through good and futuristic technical and electronic systems, says Forsvarsmateriell's part project leader, Per Rune Hansen in the Tank program."
 
 
Source:
https://forsvaret.no/aktuelt/testet-ny-cv90-bombekaster

The water propellers are gone.

http://www.janes.com/article/75594/assegai-aims-to-squeeze-more-reach-out-of-nato-howitzers
 
This version is NATO compliant, 70km range. DENEL is certainly innovative.
 

About the US-Army SPS to be deployed :
http://soldiersystems.net/2017/10/30/peo-soldier-tests-modular-scalable-vest-at-fort-carson/

Multi-EFP

Speaking of the M60...
 

 
M60 upgrade developed by the Italian company Leonardo.

Maybe we should make a thread on M60 upgrades.  There are so many!

If I remember correctly, based on feedback from the 2nd Cav they were deleted so that the turret could be moved forward to preserve the sky guard hatches. And the commander is the gunner.
 

This is manual.