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[muck]

The old Luftwaffe didn't like the idea of having to play around in the mud, though – nor does her modern successor. In fact, she's only been reassigned that task over a mere technicality. The sole remaining mobile ground-based air defence assets left after the 2011 reforms were the Ozelots. They were transferred to the air force only because the army found no place to put them once the Air Defence Corps had been stood down.

There's a good reason as to why they used to make a distinction between stationary and mobile ground-based air defence. If the air force is to accompany the army into the thick of battle, it must invest heavily into acquiring the technology and expertise necessary for doing so, diverting funds away from flying wings in the process.

As far as I know, medium-term planning calls for 14 batteries with at least 2000 troops and some 84 self-propelled anti-air guns plus an unknown number of self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems. That'd amount to about 7.5% of the air force proper (i.e. excluding airmen in the joint services). Add the nine Patriot batteries, and you'll see why the service could end up treating its new branch like an unwanted stepchild.

 

[Picanha]

Just my 2c

I'm not disputing the need for army units. They need them, and should also care for them. But only in the lower level of the layered defense. They must operate under the farther reaching layers provided by the LW.

Even in the cold war layout a Gepard has 4km fighting range and a Roland about 8km. Thats not enough for protection against drones.

LW doesn't have to follow much in the mud. I would think providing a carrier vehicle for a combined rocket range ? / 35mm gun like in the Skynex video as well as a Jammer and a light short range effector should be enough for the Heer. Pretty much protection from sneak in surprises.

But even if it is solely based on the LW having the Ozelot, it does make sense as you can not fight those drones without full air situational awareness. They all need to be connected though to get the full picture.

LW can have the same, stationary aswell as mobile. They also had mobile Roland systems in the past. Plus the upper layers of the defense dome and more sophisticated long range detection and jamming.

In essence it boils down to detection jamming and destruction. But tracking them all and bring in the right effector on the right spot is what makes it difficult, without producing expensive overkill.

And keep in mind you do not only destroy the drone but ideally you want to locate the infrastructure and operator too. They do not appear out of thin air. And you have to fight them too.

Then add satellite imaging, ISTAR etc. all controlled by the air force.

Next step for drone operations is then to make them highly mobile.

A new cat and mouse game and a tricky topic.

 

[Picanha]

Italy’s U212NFS Near Future Submarine Contract Signed

The order is part of the acquisition program of 4 U212 Near Future Submarines

Italy's U212NFS Near Future Submarine Contract Signed - Naval News

Today, Fincantieri, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding groups and reference operator in the naval shipbuilding industry, and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en matiere d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation) will sign the contract for the...

www.navalnews.com

 

[Fish&Chips]

It is estimated that some 1.3 million metric tons of UXO are buried in the wrecks of aircraft, U-boats and other ships in the German part of the North Sea. As corrosion progresses, the toxic content will eventually spill into the water. An international civilian research team has now begun to investigate shipwrecks by taking samples from mussels etc. to find out how many contaminants from ammunition have already leaked from their containers and were ingested by the local marine flora and fauna.

Video footage of the wreck of SMS Mainz with German comments:

Schleswig-Holstein Magazin

Ob Politik oder Wirtschaft, Umwelt oder Kultur: Jeden Abend von 19.30 bis 20 Uhr erfahren Sie, was in SH los ist.

www.ndr.de

 

[Picanha]

Germany, US revive security cooperation​

Germany is getting 500 more US troops. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement at a news conference with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on Tuesday in Berlin.

Germany, US revive security cooperation – DW – 04/13/2021

US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III is the first Biden administration official to come to Germany. Several high-stakes issues have been on his agenda — and he has made some surprise announcements.

www.dw.com

 

[BravoZulu]

UK:
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and THALES in the UK have joined forces to offer SEA SERPENT as a compelling solution to equip the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates with an anti-ship and anti-surface missile that can match and overmatch a rapidly expanding range and intensity of current and emerging threats.

The SEA SERPENT delivers an agile, highly penetrative, combined anti-ship and land attack capability at ranges significantly in excess of 200 km. It deploys an innovative RF seeker head and a sophisticated data analysis and weapon control system to provide precise target detection, discrimination and classification. It overcomes both kinetic counter-fire and electronic countermeasures of increasing sophistication, so that the missile can locate and attack its target in littoral, open-ocean and overland environments. It is especially designed to prevail in contested, congested and confusing situations characterised by large numbers of decoys, disrupted reality and heavy electronic interference, as well as clutter from land and false returns. In fast-moving situations, SEA SERPENT incorporates mid-course updates from real-time ISTAR feeds and the ability to re-task in flight, especially in cooperative engagements and distributed sensor-and-shooter networks.

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/iai-and-...tion-ship-killing-solution-for-the-royal-navy

 

[Fluff]

UK:
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and THALES in the UK have joined forces to offer SEA SERPENT as a compelling solution to equip the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates with an anti-ship and anti-surface missile that can match and overmatch a rapidly expanding range and intensity of current and emerging threats.

The SEA SERPENT delivers an agile, highly penetrative, combined anti-ship and land attack capability at ranges significantly in excess of 200 km. It deploys an innovative RF seeker head and a sophisticated data analysis and weapon control system to provide precise target detection, discrimination and classification. It overcomes both kinetic counter-fire and electronic countermeasures of increasing sophistication, so that the missile can locate and attack its target in littoral, open-ocean and overland environments. It is especially designed to prevail in contested, congested and confusing situations characterised by large numbers of decoys, disrupted reality and heavy electronic interference, as well as clutter from land and false returns. In fast-moving situations, SEA SERPENT incorporates mid-course updates from real-time ISTAR feeds and the ability to re-task in flight, especially in cooperative engagements and distributed sensor-and-shooter networks.
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/iai-and-...tion-ship-killing-solution-for-the-royal-navy
Disrupted reality....I get that after 3 drinks.....

 

[morris]

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[morris]

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Naval Group has delivered the FREMM Alsace, the first multimission frigate with enhanced air defense capabilities, to the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation, which received it April 16 in the Mediterranean port of Toulon on behalf of the French Navy.

 

[muck]

The UK is set to strike a £1.4 bn deal with Boeing for the delivery of new extended-range CH-47 transport helicopters. As earlier outlined by the Integrated Defence Review, the 14 rotorcraft are to replace some of the older Chinooks flown by the British. (Source, English)

Germany has selected Rheinmetall's Kodiak to replace the oldest lot of the Heer's Dachs armoured engineer vehicles. 44 Kodiaks are to be delivered from 2026 onwards. (Source, German)

 

[morris]

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France has recently completed a series of test flights to move forward with certification of the A400M’s capability to refuel helicopters during flight, day and night.
The test flight campaign took place between March 22 and April 2 but was only announced by DGA,the French military-procurement agency, on April 20.

France is currently the only country in Europe with a helicopter refueling capability, with the French Air & Space Force’s C130Js able to refuel EC725 Caracal helicopters, now called the H225M.

 

[morris]

Anson, the fifth of seven Astute class attack submarines being built for the Royal Navy, has been launched at the BAE Systems site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
The 7,400-tonne nuclear-powered submarine, officially named at a ceremony in December, emerged from the Devonshire Dock Hall and entered the water for the first time this week. The launch was a special moment for the Barrow shipyard, which is celebrating its 150th year and a long and proud relationship with the Royal Navy.

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Anson will now begin the next phase of its test and commissioning programme, before leaving Barrow for sea trials with the Royal Navy next year.

 

[muck]

The German assault rifle replacement saga keeps on giving. Now Magpul accuses Heckler & Koch of violating their magazine patents. (Source)

Yes, you read that right.

Mere months ago, H&K had successfully challenged a government contract placed with rival Haenel over alleged patent infringments – including one to the detriment of Magpul.

H&K is denying the allegations and has commissioned a patent lawyer's expertise exonerating the company from any wrongdoing; Magpul, however, maintains its rights have been violated and demands recourse. And just like that, all is up in the air again.

 

[muck]

Yes, finally! Good things come to those who wait. No more "joint"! (Source, German)

The German Minister of Defence, Kramp-Karrenbauer, and the service's senior general, Zorn, are set to announce a major reform which will dismantle the Bundeswehr's Central Medical Service and Joint Support Service in favour of their return to their erstwhile parent branches in the army, navy and air force. The reform will affect some 60,000 troops.

At the turn of the millenium, the German armed forces had decided to pool their individual branches' rear services in a unified structure; synergetic effects were to be exploited and redundant structures streamlined. In reality, however, the reform created a severely top-heavy organisation with overlapping responsibilities all the while draining frontline units of their organic support.

For instance, the German Army is officially 63,000 personnel strong – but an additional 52,000 "army uniform wearers" (official term) serve in the unified structure. They will now boost the Army's divisions. Even better, a blood-letting among the higher echelons is planned in order to shift budgeted posts from staffs and headquarters to frontline units.

Said plans are said to have prompted negative reactions amongst the leadership [no one votes themselves out of office, do they?]. Apparently, the Minister shot down an attempt to advocate the polar opposite of her plans: creating a "Joint Support Service XXL" with even more subordinate units and responsibilities. Dodged a bullet there!

In other news:

Underlining the German Army's refocusing on defending national and allied territory it has been announced that 5 Heimatschutz regiments will be raised and – a first for the reserves in almost twenty years – equipped with their own armaments and vehicles. During the Cold War, the Heimatschutz corps was a branch of light infantry designed to protect military installations and urban areas, deny movement to hostile infiltrators and provide emergency relief services in a secondary role. (Source, German)

Additionally, the ill-advised 2011 decision to disband the Army's last remaining long-range reconnaissance company will be reverted. The new unit will be stood up as Fernspähkompanie 1. It is to be led by the Rapid Forces Division and provide theatre-relevant intelligence for corps level-decision makers. (Source, German)

 

[BravoZulu]

Yes, finally! Good things come to those who wait. No more "joint"! (Source, German)

The German Minister of Defence, Kramp-Karrenbauer, and the service's senior general, Zorn, are set to announce a major reform which will dismantle the Bundeswehr's Central Medical Service and Joint Support Service in favour of their return to their erstwhile parent branches in the army, navy and air force. The reform will affect some 60,000 troops.

At the turn of the millenium, the German armed forces had decided to pool their individual branches' rear services in a unified structure; synergetic effects were to be exploited and redundant structures streamlined. In reality, however, the reform created a severely top-heavy organisation with overlapping responsibilities all the while draining frontline units of their organic support.

For instance, the German Army is officially 63,000 personnel strong – but an additional 52,000 "army uniform wearers" (official term) serve in the unified structure. They will now boost the Army's divisions. Even better, a blood-letting among the higher echelons is planned in order to shift budgeted posts from staffs and headquarters to frontline units.

Said plans are said to have prompted negative reactions amongst the leadership [no one votes themselves out of office, do they?]. Apparently, the Minister shot down an attempt to advocate the polar opposite of her plans: creating a "Joint Support Service XXL" with even more subordinate units and responsibilities. Dodged a bullet there!

In other news:

Underlining the German Army's refocusing on defending national and allied territory it has been announced that 5 Heimatschutz regiments will be raised and – a first for the reserves in almost twenty years – equipped with their own armaments and vehicles. During the Cold War, the Heimatschutz corps was a branch of light infantry designed to protect military installations and urban areas, deny movement to hostile infiltrators and provide emergency relief services in a secondary role. (Source, German)

Additionally, the ill-advised 2011 decision to disband the Army's last remaining long-range reconnaissance company will be reverted. The new unit will be stood up as Fernspähkompanie 1. It is to be led by the Rapid Forces Division and provide theatre-relevant intelligence for corps level-decision makers. (Source, German)

Sound like "somebody" got a healthy dose of reality

 

[muck]

With all best-and-final-offers received, Finland's HX fighter programme enters into the selection phase. The €9bn contract for more than 60 jets to replace the Finnish fleet of F/A-18 C/D pits five companies against one another: Boeing (F/A-18 E/F), Dassault (Rafale), Eurofighter Consortium (Typhoon), Lockheed Martin (F-35) and Saab (Gripen E and GlobalEye AWACs aircraft). A decision is expected by the end of 2021. (Source)

The United States has approved a German request to buy 5 Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft at a cost of $1.77 bn. The deal is to include further equipment like radars, electro-optical sensors and mission software. (Source, English) The German Navy has an urgent requirement to replace her P-3C MPA's after a service-life extension project had revealed that keeping the ageing fleet operational would be highly uneconomical.

The German Ministry of Defence has informed lawmakers that it will request funds to buy six P-8A Poseidon from the United States. The type beat the homegrown RAS 72, Spain's C-295 MPA and a late French offer for leased ATL 2's during the selection phase. The Federal Diet will be asked to vote on the contract before summer. Considering the government's comfortable majority, the approval is a mere matter of form. (Source, German)

This investment jeopardises the Franco-German MAWS project. I'm surprised they're so eager to step on Macron's toes with this.

 

[BravoZulu]

The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has unveiled the requirements for its future Battle Group Organic Anti-Armour (BGOAA) project, which aims to provide the British Army with a suite of anti-armour capabilities from around the 2030s.

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.”
https://www.army-technology.com/features/uk-outlines-future-anti-armour-requirements/?

 

[muck]

?

 

[muck]

View attachment 303816

Considering the existing studies for a Boxer-based NLOS-launcher module, I'm surprised this is what seems to have made the cut. That thing is awefully limited by design. I mean, why would you place such a long-range weapon system on a relatively well-protected vehicle in the first place? The answer: because you know that on the modern battlefield, even a unit well behind the frontlines is always in striking distance.

With that being the case, wouldn't you want your launcher vehicle to present less of a target area? Maybe I'm missing the point here, but I'm really curious as to the thought process behind this design. Particularly since earlier designs featured either a MLRS-style motile module, or a launcher elevatable in the direction of travel. My best guess is that this setup allows to launch more missiles before reloading.

 

[Mike1976]

Considering the existing studies for a Boxer-based NLOS-launcher module, I'm surprised this is what seems to have made the cut. That thing is awefully limited by design. I mean, why would you place such a long-range weapon system on a relatively well-protected vehicle in the first place? The answer: because you know that on the modern battlefield, even a unit well behind the frontlines is always in striking distance.

Maybe I'm missing the point here, but I'm really curious as to the thought process behind this design.

As long as the hatches are closed it looks like a regular Boxer. It doesn't stand out in a crowd.