David Moyes

Contract for Challenger 2 armour trials:

https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:358117-2021:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0

Source:

Sources:

How it started ^

How it's going:


 

"The data from the trial suggests up to an 80% drop in detection with the naked eye abs hand held optics.
We also tested it against other sensors but that’s not for twitter.
One of the hypotheses was “it’s possible to spoof AI and create delay in the targeting cycle”."

Sources:

Ajax situation is ramping up. Trials have been suspended for a second time and Ministers now believe that senior officers hid the extent of problems so that it would not get cancelled during the integrated review.
 

Tricking Ministers will likely be Ajax's death knell.

Trophy MV confirmed for Challenger 3:

https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-equipment-news/44450-rafael-trophy-aps-selected-for-uk-challenger-3
 

Is it possible that the Revolution turret is now an original IP and no longer based on the Leo 2 turret? 
A wholly owned turret solution by Rheinmetall?


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Side turret ballast:

CR3 turret is apparently just Rheinmetall's Revolution turret:
 

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On 5/24/2021 at 6:31 AM, Newtonk said:

Ah, ok then, now I'm really curious as to those other "several camouflage experiments" and what those look like. Thanks for the reply, I'll keep searching... 

@TokyoMorose

The test rig was shown with an exhaust management add-on:

It's possible that Ajax (or just turreted scout variant) has been cancelled...
British Defence journalists:
 

Texelis, QinetiQ Collaborate to Develop in-wheel Electric Hub Drive Tech for Armoured Vehicles



 

Quote

Texelis and QinetiQ have agreed to jointly deliver in-wheel Electric Hub Drive technology to military armoured vehicles.
 

Under the Strategic Partnership, Texelis will manufacture the Hub Drive technology at scale to meet market demands; while QinetiQ will bring the core electrification technology and expertise.
 

Hub Drive technology combines electric propulsion with mechanical and regenerative braking in a compact package. Efficiency and size has been the weakness of previous attempts at electric propulsion for wheeled military vehicles where the direct drive of motors to wheels has been used. The partnership will deliver a Hub Drive transmission where electrical machines are small-sized for the high-speed propulsion, with all the advantages in terms of acceleration and agility, with the high torque demands for hill climb and obstacle crossing handled by the range-changing gearbox.
 

The agreement will see Texelis apply its deep vehicle mobility expertise to design the suspension system for the electric wheel hub.
 

Texelis will be responsible for initialising assembly lines to produce the electric drive hub and WSC at its site in Limoges, France. Jean Vandel, Managing Director for Defense, Texelis, commented: “This is a very important area of development, both for Texelis and the military vehicle market worldwide. The Electric Hub Drive enables enhanced power, system efficiency and the ability to operate silently using the battery as a source of power. This allows us to rethink the vehicle power architecture completely and discard conventional axle and driveshaft design constraints."

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29597/Texelis__QinetiQ_Collaborate_to_Develop_in_wheel_Electric_Hub_Drive_Tech_for_Armoured_Vehicles

 

Is this a private endeavour or is the French Army interested in hub drive?

On 5/19/2021 at 9:34 PM, BaronTibere said:

 

IIRC the MP is made in Glasgow but the XP is made in France, and both use French detectors. But I guess its less french than say SAFRAN.

I had a catalogue that listed available products through Thales UK but can't find it now.
 

10 hours ago, Newtonk said:

 

Does anyone here have the attached image in high res, please? Or, point me in the direct I may find it? It is from ATDU and shows the most current digital camo of the Challenger 2. Thank you

 

That is the highest resolution available. Taken directly from the CO of ATDU twitter account.
It's one of several camouflage experiments rather than an official Theatre Standard.

4 hours ago, Laser Shark said:

I believe this is for Qatar since it’s been reported that the VBCI deal has been cancelled in favor of the Boxer. Considering what likely motivated this move, I’m somewhat surprised that they’ve decided to keep the Kongsberg turret with its French sensors and ATGMs.

Catherine range is British.

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This news is a bit old but posting now I have time:

UK outlines future anti-armour requirements

Quote

BGOAA is split across four areas: a Close-In Self Defence (CISD) capability, a long-range Mounted Close Combat Overwatch (MCCO) capability akin to the Swingfire system of the past, and mounted and dismounted Close Combat Anti-Armour Weapons (CCAAW), which will form the successor to the in-service Javelin.
 

The project aims to deliver commonality between effectors and launchers to drive down costs while allowing a smaller, more dispersed British force to achieve overmatch against peer threats into the 2050s.

Commenting on the existing capabilities BGOAA is seeking to replace, British Army Lieutenant Colonel Mike Baxter, S01 for Light and Medium Forces, said: “These systems were designed in the 90s and 00s, typically as dismounted systems and not optimised for fire-on-the-move. One could also suggest that, during the lifetime of these systems, they have not really faced a significant armour threat.
 

“But armour or threats that have to be engaged by these weapons systems have been present throughout that time, and the scale and the complexity of use of those systems have probably exceeded the designers’ thoughts when they first brought those systems into use.”

Key to developing the four BGOAA project lines is developing a Ministry of Defence-owned architecture for effectors and fire control systems that would allow anti-armour systems to be rapidly upgraded to maintain their relevance.
 

Baxter said: “BGOAA takes the experience of the last few years with the aim of providing accurate, long-range engagement capabilities down to the section level against armoured and non-armoured targets, It also keeps in mind the potential for state-on-state or peer-on-peer conflict and the great power competition that seems to be making a comeback in world dynamics”.
 

“We still need to have lethality against armoured systems because, although not all may be top of the range vehicles, there is a prevalence and a proliferation of armour, right down to some relatively less well-developed nations.”
 

De-risking is currently underway on technologies to enable a new generation of seekers, systems that can defeat active protection systems, new launchers and warheads.

Dstl is also looking at critical enablers, including smaller, wider spectrum, low-cost sensors; non-line of sight capabilities; third-party handoff of targeting and fire control.

Dstl is also exploring how modular systems can allow for launchers and missiles to be diffused across platforms from trucks, the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle, the Ajax family of vehicles and uncrewed systems.
 

BGOAA is currently in the pre-concept phase, with Dstl aiming to down-select from a pool of concepts over the next six month and generate a shortlist of ideas that would then undergo detailed analysis likely from 2022/23 onwards.

Mounted Close Combat Overwatch (MCCO) - Long Range ATGM

Proposals by Thales, MBDA and Lockheed Martin using Brimstone missiles:

Thales:



"Dstl also showed a concept developed by Thales showing an Ares vehicle equipped with a remote turret that does not protrude into the vehicle’s hull and carried eight missiles."

MBDA:

"During a presentation on the capability, Dstl showcased concepts from MBDA detailing an Ares vehicle carrying eight Brimstone missiles on a swing launcher as well as a Boxer module carrying 16 Brimstone missiles on one side of the vehicle as well as its previously shown concept of a TheMIS UGV carrying a Brimstone launcher."

Lockheed Martin:

"As well as devising the Boxer module, Lockheed Martin has also developed a concept for an ISO container filled with VLS tubes and carried on a MAN SV truck. This MAN SV-based system would be able to carry 50 plus missiles." - Boxer module can carry 16 missiles


CCAAW – mounted and dismounted effects

Javelin ATGM replacement. Supposedly Spike 2 has been earmarked for this. The Army was waiting to see what the US did with Javelin.

Sources:
https://www.army-technology.com/features/lockheed-martin-uk-unwraps-future-anti-armour-concept/
https://www.army-technology.com/features/lockheed-martin-uk-unwraps-future-anti-armour-concept/

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UK Warrior upgrade cancellation makes sale of CT40 cannons likely

 

Quote

Surplus CTA International 40 mm CT40 cannons worth over GBP70 million (USD97.7 million) are expected to be put up for sale by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) following the cancellation of the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) upgrade programme in the UK government’s 22 March Defence Command Paper.

 

There had been speculation that the cannons could be reused and installed in Boxer mechanised infantry vehicles to create an IFV variant for the British Army, but on 19 April the service told Jane s it had no intention to develop such a vehicle.
 

“There are no current plans to commission Boxer into an armoured infantry role,” said a British Army spokesperson. “We are assessing potential lethality options for the Boxer.”

 

Source: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-warrior-upgrade-cancellation-makes-sale-of-ct40-cannons-likely
 

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Pretty much what I thought would happen. The Army dumping CT40. Not even keeping them as spares for Ajax is a telling sign.
I can see Rheinmetall pushing a British-ised Lance turret.
 

Jon Hawkes reports that the choice is M829A4 or KE2020Neo. Modifications explored to accommodate former:
 

Two armour suites. ERA and (inert) NERA. Trophy MV APS:
 

Engine upgrade focussed on obsolescent. 1500nhp may come later:
 

CV90120-T Low-Profile Turret and Modular Armour





This is apparently a few years old but I don't remember seeing it.

If it hadn't been for Cottonmouth ARV
I'd be a Major a long time ago
Where'd you deploy from, where'd you withdraw?
What did you recon, Cottonmouth ARV?

*Eurobeat* 

Ajax Brimstone Overwatch




https://generaldynamics.uk.com/gduk/overwatch/

 

Quote

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK today unveiled a further variant of its best-in-class AJAX Family of Vehicles (FoV). The Brimstone Anti-tank Guided Weapon ‘Overwatch’ variant, demonstrated in collaboration with MBDA, could operate in the vanguard of the British Army’s future Heavy Brigade and Deep Recce Strike Combat Teams, providing vital force protection for the more dispersed force and ensuring the integrity of long-range persistent surveillance.

The MBDA Brimstone-based solution Overwatch capability can be seamlessly integrated onboard an ARES vehicle utilising its state-of-the art Electronic Architecture, which is installed across the AJAX FoV and enables the rapid insertion and integration of new technologies and capabilities.

Carew Wilks, Vice President and General Manager of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said:

“The AJAX family can fulfil a large number of roles for Armed Forces worldwide, including reconnaissance, persistent surveillance, command and control, and bridging. Our collaboration with MBDA further demonstrates the versatility of the AJAX fleet through the delivery of an ‘Overwatch’ capability quickly and effectively for the Heavy and Deep Recce Strike Brigade Combat Teams.”

Chris Allam, MBDA UK Managing Director, said:

“Brimstone and AJAX is a potent battle-winning combination. Brimstone is a core part of the ‘portfolio’ approach to complex weapons between MBDA and the UK Ministry of Defence. This co-operation on AJAX Overwatch demonstrates how we can use sovereign UK complex weapons technologies to provide rapid and low cost solutions to enhance the operational capabilities of the UK Armed Forces, while ensuring sovereign skills, jobs and security of supply are maintained.”

Brimstone is the ubiquitous multiple-platform weapon for Air, Land and Maritime environments. Operationally proven and packed with the latest technology for further growth, in the Overwatch role Brimstone is the differentiator for high intensity, peer-on-peer warfighting, with excellent reach, high-loadout and salvo capability. Defeating all known Defensive Aide Suites and armour with high precision and in all weathers, Brimstone gives several targeting options while uniquely enhancing platform and operator survivability through best-in-class insensitive munition compliance.

https://mk0generaldynam7ma37.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ARES-OVERWATCH-NEW-V5-1.mp4



2x4 brimstone launchers
Can fire at multiple targets near simultaneously
Fires static or moving

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Ajax turret would be too big and heavy for an IFV. 1.7m turret ring vs 1.4m for WCSP.

It's also Lance-based and LMUK and Rheinmetall fell out because of the original WCSP turret failure.

@Lord_James

You're using logic. Army Brass do not.

When the cancelation was first announced people of course suggested a WCSP-Boxer. Various journalists quickly shut down such a thing.

Army will do everything to dissociate themselves from WCSP. Doesn't matter if nearly £500m has been wasted. It's happened before, it will happen again.
I could even see the Army completely dumping CT40.