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[muck]

A German hat-trick to start off the week:

The Chief of Naval Aviation has confirmed the German Navy's decision to replace its ageing P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft with the P-8A Poseidon. Five aircraft along with sensors, armaments and additional services are to be purchased at a cost of $1.5 bn from the United States. The Federal Diet will be asked to grant the necessary funds before the summer recess; its approval is seen as all but certain. (Source, German)

~~

After years of rumors, Germany's plans to increase its army's indirect fire capacities were officially presented to the Future Artillery 2021 symposium last week. The School of Artillery is set to announce calls for bids for 100 self-propelled mortars, 30 wheeled surface-to-surface missile launchers and 120 self-propelled howitzers on a wheeled chassis, the latter of three projects being given top priority.

The requirements specification demands range and firepower equal or superior to the PzH2000 self-propelled armoured howitzer (155mm L/52); the vehicle platform must be highly mobile and offer protection from small arms fire and artillery fragmentation. Industry observers expect the contract will go to either KMW's RCH155 or Rheinmetall's recently presented HX3 howitzer. (Source, German)

~~~

The German Ministry of Defence has briefed parliament on the readiness of the Bundeswehr's 71 main armaments and major systems today. An abridged report has been made available to the public. Across the board, the report details steady improvements in terms of mission capable rates (e.g. Typhoon: 75%), although a few systems continue to grossly underperform and do not meet NATO's readiness goals of 70%.

In summary, the reporting period saw availability rates of 76% across all systems (land vehicles 71%, naval vessels 75%, aircraft 64%). 44 systems overfulfiled availability goals, but 11 items suffer from availability rates of under 50%. The report cites the insufficient stocking of spare parts, manpower shortages among contractors and concurrent modernisation programmes as contributing to this deficite. (Source, German)

 

[morris]

New British tanks can’t be driven safely at over 20mph

NEW BRITISH tanks which cost £3.5bn can't be driven safely at over 20 miles per hour, according to an incendiary report.

www.express.co.uk

Trials of Ajax armoured vehicles were halted between November 2020 and March after causing health problems. Soldiers using the vehicles complained of swollen joints and tinnitus.
The time crew can spend in the vehicles have been capped at one and a half hours.
Ajax tank crew are required to wear noise-cancelling earpieces and have their hearing tested.

The document also noted the armoured vehicles “cannot reverse over an obstacle more than 20cm high”.
Due to internal vibrations, the report warns the Ajax vehicles are unable to fire their main guns on the move.

Britain ordered 589 Ajax variants in 2014, made by US defence company General Dynamics.
Thus far 14 of the turretless Ares model have arrived in the UK.
The tanks, which were planned to replace Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance armoured fighting vehicles, are already four years behind schedule.

 

[muck]

How on earth was that not noticed during testing?

 

[TheKiwi]

With only 14 vehicles in service, it sounds like this is the testing.

 

[Hiryu2.0]

Dassault Rafale in good position to win Switzerland tender? - AeroTime

As the decision on the next fighter jet to fly with the colors of the Swiss Air Force is about to be made, local media reports that the scales might be tilted in favor of the Dassault Rafale. The Air 2030 tender was launched in 2020 following the positive outcome of a referendum on whether

www.aerotime.aero

 

[Fish&Chips]

The requirements specification demands range and firepower equal or superior to the PzH2000 self-propelled armoured howitzer (155mm L/52); the vehicle platform must be highly mobile and offer protection from small arms fire and artillery fragmentation. Industry observers expect the contract will go to either KMW's RCH155 or Rheinmetall's recently presented HX3 howitzer. (Source, German)

Using the RCH 155 would make sense if the turret can be put on and off just like any other boxer module. So if either the chassis or the turret gets damaged you can swap them.

 

[Cron]

How on earth was that not noticed during testing?

It was. And a fair bit more besides.

 

[muck]

Using the RCH 155 would make sense if the turret can be put on and off just like any other boxer module. So if either the chassis or the turret gets damaged you can swap them.

I suspect the Heer will have to make do with a truck-based platform for cost reasons, but the most important thing is they finally get on with it and acquire more guns. By the way, there's also been news on the German Army's "Long-range Indirect Fires" programme.

A consortium led by MBDA is pitching the Joint Fire Support Missile, a transsonic surface-to-surface cruise missile with an INF-compliant range of 499 kilometres and automated target recognition. It uses the MARS 2 as a launching platform, with more systems likely to follow. (Source, German)

It was. And a fair bit more besides.

But between the prototype and every vehicle coming off the production being tested prior to delivery, did no one notice that before?

 

[Cron]

I suspect the Heer will have to make do with a truck-based platform for cost reasons, but the most important thing is they finally get on with it and acquire more guns. By the way, there's also been news on the German Army's "Long-range Indirect Fires" programme.

A consortium led by MBDA is pitching the Joint Fire Support Missile, a transsonic surface-to-surface cruise missile with an INF-compliant range of 499 kilometres and automated target recognition. It uses the MARS 2 as a launching platform, with more systems likely to follow. (Source, German)

But between the prototype and every vehicle coming off the production being tested prior to delivery, did no one notice that before?

The procurement process over here is not a straightforward beast - but I'm guessing many of you on here already know that. Ajax is the culmination of a stop-start programme years in the making, based on a shifting set of requirements and CONEMP, with a resultant impact on the platform integration that has ended up being rather messy. The system isn't a ground-up development, rather more an adaptation of a pre-existing platform that has been 'tailored' for UK mission systems (which in some cases were themselves ill-defined). Ajax is not ASCOD by any stretch of the imagination - the prior qualification for that platform isn't going to wash, hence we are picking up on all sorts during serials such as reliability growth trials. Hindsight being what it is, the choice of base platform given the as-then underdeveloped wish-list may now look to be less than optimal.

We are a fair way away from 589 platforms being delivered and accepted into service - and the button for full rate production will not be pressed until the issues get resolved. That, or the project gets shitcanned* and we hope there is no conflict requiring armour for another 20 or so years while we sort our S**t out!

There will be ongoing recriminations no matter what, and it's fair to say that much will be driven by a press that has F***-all idea what they are going on about regards the 'business as usual' within defence. In the interest of their own bottom line they will likely continue to represent every leak as evidence of a 'system out of control' staffed with 'corrupt' or 'incompetent' fools**.

Don't get me wrong - there are problems with the platform but it's also important to point out that there is a laser-focus on it within the four walls. Name me a project that went without a hitch - it isn't the first, it won't be the last. But as for the press perspective? Remember what you are reading and where it came from. They continue to call platforms like Warrior and CVR(T) 'a tank' and probably think CADMID is a rechargeable battery.


* and this is a real possibility no matter the project. £1bn sunk into Nimrod AEW - and that was taken out the back and shot!

** there are some good journos out there - but many are peabrains who have F*** all idea about what they are writing about.

 

[muck]

Thanks for the insight, mate.

Dassault Rafale in good position to win Switzerland tender? - AeroTime

As the decision on the next fighter jet to fly with the colors of the Swiss Air Force is about to be made, local media reports that the scales might be tilted in favor of the Dassault Rafale. The Air 2030 tender was launched in 2020 following the positive outcome of a referendum on whether

www.aerotime.aero

The craziest part is many observers seem to think the Super Hornet is what they actually want, but the Swiss government will refrain from chosing an American product for political reasons. Left-wing groups have already announced they'll initiate another referendum should an American aircraft be selected, and given how close the last referendum was, the programme could still fall apart.

And this time, the right could be tempted to vote with the left. There's a conspiracy theory lingering in right-wing circles in Switzerland that the Americans could completely disable the Swiss Air Force by the push of a button, building on substantial resentment about being subjected to the ITAR regime and associated inspections, which are seen as a violation of Swiss sovereignty and neutrality.

I do find some parts of the Swiss political system intriguing, but it's bonkers to let a witless mountain farmer or a pretentious left-wing student from Bern vote on such questions of detail that do require a fair bit of background knowledge. Kind of ridiculous, if you think about it. The Super Hornet would be well-suited to their needs and enable the Swiss to utilise synergetic effects, lowering the bill for the tax payer.

As for the remainder of the field – the F-35 is certifiably overkill for the Swiss Air Force's short syllabus. So, nothing lost there. The Gripen would've been a wise choice, not just for cost efficiency but also for political reasons. I do call rubbish on the official reasoning for excluding it. Since the acquisition of the bird had already been shot down by popular vote before, running with it a second time would've amounted to political suicide.

I suspect the Eurofighter Typhoon is out of the question due to the close relationship between Switzerland and neighbouring Austria. The Austrian minister of defence's personal crusade against Airbus was extensively covered by the Swiss press, creating an unfavourable business climate to say the least. Well, the Swiss have worked with Dassault before … and it's a damn fine plane. So good on them, I guess.

 

[Hiryu2.0]

Royal Navy looking for drones to protect ships

The Royal Navy are urgently looking for drones to be integrated onto forward deployed warships to to counter fast attack craft.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

 

[Picanha]

I suspect the Heer will have to make do with a truck-based platform for cost reasons, but the most important thing is they finally get on with it and acquire more guns. By the way, there's also been news on the German Army's "Long-range Indirect Fires" programme.

A consortium led by MBDA is pitching the Joint Fire Support Missile, a transsonic surface-to-surface cruise missile with an INF-compliant range of 499 kilometres and automated target recognition. It uses the MARS 2 as a launching platform, with more systems likely to follow. (Source, German)

But between the prototype and every vehicle coming off the production being tested prior to delivery, did no one notice that before?

At least that's "something". I always see the need for such weapons systems. A new Pershing is needed imho. The INF is on hold since 2019 I thought? Why not procure such weapons "the others" also have some so I don't really get it...

 

[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.

Are you prepared for the next chaper of this exciting modern classic 'The Assault Rifle Procurement Saga: Electric Boogaloo'?

Heckler & Koch has filed an injunction suit against Magpul. The company requests that the District Court establishes that H&K did not violate patents owned by Magpul Industries and that the respondent be compelled to cease claiming otherwise. But there's more. Yesterday, the Federal Cartel Office's Procurement Advisory Committee rejected Haenel's appeal against the awarding of the assault rifle contract to H&K.

The appeal was not denied over allegations that Haenel had violated H&K's patents, though! Instead, the chamber found that H&K's offer was more affordable than Haenel's thus needed to be given preference. But you will remember that Haenel was first given the contract in 2020 on the grounds that theirs was the most affordable offer, a finding which H&K publicly contested!

What the fluff is going?

 

[Fluff]

Are you prepared for the next chaper of this exciting modern classic 'The Assault Rifle Procurement Saga: Electric Boogaloo'?

Heckler & Koch has filed an injunction suit against Magpul. The company requests that the District Court establishes that H&K did not violate patents owned by Magpul Industries and that the respondent be compelled to cease claiming otherwise. But there's more. Yesterday, the Federal Cartel Office's Procurement Advisory Committee rejected Haenel's appeal against the awarding of the assault rifle contract to H&K.

The appeal was not denied over allegations that Haenel had violated H&K's patents, though! Instead, the chamber found that H&K's offer was more affordable than Haenel's thus needed to be given preference. But you will remember that Haenel was first given the contract in 2020 on the grounds that theirs was the most affordable offer, a finding which H&K publicly contested!

What the fluff is going?

I dont think I'm suing anyone? I'll check with my legal department.

 

[muck]

Well played, well played.

 

[muck]

Haenel has just released the following statement:

The Procurement Advisory Committe decided on June 10th to reject the appeal filed by C.G. Haenel. The Committe no longer maintains month-long allegations of patent infringements against C.G. Haenel, but has declared C.G. Haenel's appeal void on the basis of a subsequently discovered alleged uneconomicalness of the MK 556 offer. C.G. Haenel takes note of the decision and declares:

The Committee's decision is extremely disappointing and factually inexplicable. We are still firmly convinced that we made the best and most economical offer. It is absurd to us to exclude C.G. Haenel on the grounds of alleged patent infringements, only to finally reject our offer citing alleged insufficient economicalness. We will study the opinion of the chamber and expressively reserve the right to take legal action.

Imagine what happens if the Duesseldorf District Court rejects the injunction suit filed by Heckler & Koch because they did violate Magpul's patents? This shitshow will remain in limbo for years! And all because the glorious Ursula von der Leyen wanted to show herself as a big-hitter.

/edit (corrected spelling and formatting mistakes)

 

[guest0001]

Mein Gott Walter!

 

[muck]

This one might be interesting for readers from the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom as well, whose governments entered into the Collaborative All-Terrain Vehicle programme with Germany.

FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau – the company behind the Wisent armoured engineer vehicle – has handed over the first demonstrator for CATV, intended to replace the Hägglunds Bv 206 and BvS 210 all-terrain articulated tracked carriers used by the aforementioned countries.

The vehicle is powered by a diesel engine in the front and an electric motor in the rear unit, the latter of which can provide additional power for acceleration or acts as a main power source for virtually silent running.

According to FFG, the fully armoured vehicle can go as fast as 70 kph (44 mph) with a payload of 3,600 kgs (7,937 lbs), has an operational range of 550 km (342 mi) and can be carried by a CH-47 or CH-53 as an external load.

The primary innovations of the demonstrator are called active cornering and active climbing, basically an intelligent coupling that adjusts the distance between the front and the rear cabin depending on the alignment to one another and on all three axes.

Allegedly, this system makes it virtually impossible for the rear unit to yaw and for the entire tandem to roll over. It is also described as making steering much easier and reducing track wear.

CATV is supposed to produce a common vehicle platform with extensive customisation options for the collaborating armies. With the first prototype delivered in 2022, the finalised vehicle is to enter service in 2024. (Source, German)

/edit Spelling. My brain has been toast as of late.

 

[BCNTM]

UK Ministry of Defense Police Orders 18 High-speed Patrol Boats

Marine Specialized Technology (MST) Group has been announced as the winner in a competitive tender process with the U.K. MOD Defense…

www.marinelink.com

 

[Fish&Chips]

HMS Defender: Russian jets and ships shadow British warship

More than 20 jets and two coastguard ships shadow HMS Defender as it sails near Crimea's coast.

www.bbc.com