US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
Brumby
Major
If you recall in a conversation about the B-21 program and the subject of fixed price contract, I said that the danger with fixed price contract is underestimating the risk and the US government ending up picking up the cost eventually. In this case while Boeing is eating the cost overrun, it nevertheless put timeline risk onto the USAF.
Jura The idiot
General
Jura The idiot
General
Jura The idiot
General
LOL we already started in
F-22 Raptor Thread
Yesterday at 8:44 AM
https://www.sinodefenceforum.com/f-22-raptor-thread.t6557/page-74#post-400304
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
5. IRAP (Increase Range Anti-Personnel)
What does it do? Along with the separate XM25 weapon, the Army is pursuing a new 40mm grenade cartridge that can be fired by the M320, one with better range and accuracy as well as advanced fuze functionality (when and why it explodes).
How heavy is it? Roughly the same as an M433 grenade round.
smart grenade, which can sense a wall or building or obstacle and then automatically explode just after passing it. SAGM required no pre-programming; just point your standard grenade launcher and shoot. The requirements from a December indicate the Army wants increased range, lethality and accuracy as well as increased fuze functionality and versatility compared to the M433. The survey asked vendors what would trigger an airburst or explosion, and whether any other equipment like fire control would be needed for a demonstration.
Will this actually happen? With plans to become a program of record next year: very likely. The Army says the round is not competing against the XM25 — although every defense dollar is competing against every other defense dollar, especially in at least a relatively similar functionality. Unlike the XM25, SAGM doesn’t require the Army to buy new guns. If the price-tag doesn't vary too much from standard grenades, it’d be easy to imagine this supplementing or supplanting those purchases. Even if not, the Army still sounds like it's fairly committed, though no solicitation has been issued.
6. XM1112
What does it do? Designed for the M320 grenade launcher, the XM1112 is a 40mm airburst non-lethal munition. The round has a fuel enriched pyrotechnic payload, proximity air burst, and selectable delay option fuse. It is capable of a flash-bang effect, which causes visual and sound impairment.
It can be used for force protection, clearing, patrols, crowd control and offensive or defensive operations.
How heavy is it? About half a pound.
When might you have one? The rounds are scheduled to be fielded in fiscal year 2018.
Why should you care? This less-lethal round provides soldiers with a significant increase in standoff range compared with the currently fielded 40mm non-lethal rounds. The new XM1112 gives soldiers 300 meters of standoff, compared with the current 50 meters provided by the non-lethal rounds already in the force.
This new capability also helps minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage while giving soldiers more flexibility during escalation of force and in non-combat environments.
Will this actually happen? It looks really good, but fielding also depends on Army priorities and resourcing strategy.
7. XM1116 (non-lethal round)
What does it do? This non-lethal extended range marking munition is designed for the 12-gauge shotgun. It can be used for force protection, crowd control, patrols and at checkpoints. It is similar to a bean bag round, and it marks its target so soldiers can later identify or capture the person they were targeting.
How heavy is it? 1.43 ounces.
When might you have one? The Army is slated to field the XM1116 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
Why should you care? The 12-gauge XM1116 provides an improved capability that allows soldiers to employ non-lethal marking capabilities at an effective range of 30 to 50 meters. This additional capability helps minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage while giving soldiers more flexibility during escalation of force and in non-combat environments.
Will this actually happen? Most probably, but it also depends on Army priorities and resourcing strategy.
Integrated Head Protection System (Photo: PEO Soldier)
8. Integrated Head Protection System/Light Weight Army Combat Helmet
What do they do? Protect your dome. And in the case of the Integrated Head Protection System, also your jaw. And neck. And eyes. And hearing.
How heavy is it? Unclear, but lighter than your current combat helmet, in both cases, especially the Light Weight Advanced Combat Helmet.
When might you have one? The IHPS could arrive by the end of 2018. The LWACH is slated to start arriving at DLA in early 2017.
Why should you care? PEO Soldier has been working on a more comprehensive helmet with a more comfortable fit. Like a number of Army programs, modularity will play a role, with a soldier able to remove the a jaw protection element and a face shield as well as attach accessories to the helmet. Overall the helmet will have better fragmentation, ballistic and impact effectiveness. Current designs also feature ability to add ballistic appliques to the helmet, which provide additional protection. Meanwhile, the LWACH offers an even lighter-weight alternative to the ACH.
Will this actually happen? Seems likely. The Army has worked on the system for three years. The IHPS, the more heavy-duty and involved version, is currently in source-selection (the Army is picking a manufacturer). Meanwhile the LWACH just needs to pass some qualification testing.
9. TEP a.k.a. better body armor
What does it do? Stops/slows bullets and shrapnel, without slowing the soldier quite so much. Components of the Torso and Extremities Protection system — such as the Ballistic Combat Shirt and Modular Scalable Vest — will offer protection of the Army’s heavy-duty body armor, only at a lighter weight and with better range of motion.
The Amy is rolling out a variety of plates, tailor-able to the mission to be worn with the Modular Scalable Vest. (Photo: Courtesy PEO Soldier)
How heavy is it? Roughly 23 pounds loaded up with heavy plates (assuming medium size).
When might you have one? Most of the Armor should field around 2019, with new plates sometime thereafter.
The Army's new Ballistic Combat Shirt was designed to improve comfort. (Photo: Courtesy PEO Soldier)
Why should you care? Because you like the protection of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (31 pounds, fully loaded) but think it could be lighter and less obstructive. The ballistic shirt consists of protection on the upper back, upper chest and neck, while completely covering the arms with ballistic/protective sleeves. That eliminates the bulky IOTV shoulder pads. The vest also offers similar protection at a lighter weight, thanks to new materials, and carries all the same plates as the IOTV. The Army is also developing new plates (the heaviest part) that are roughly 7 percent lighter than current plates for the same protection. They also allow for modularity to cater to different protection levels and body types. In addition, an outer-wear pelvic protector offers the same protection as the two-part system soldiers currently use, only, again, lighter and more agile. Meanwhile, a Load Distribution System consists of a ballistic combat belt that flows underneath the vest and a load-bearing spine that distributes weight to the waist rather than putting it all on the shoulders.
The Army's new Blast Pelvic Protection will replace two current protective items: an undergarment and an over-garment. (Photo: Courtesy PEO Soldier)
Will this actually happen? Most likely, yes. The armor has cleared the engineering and development phases last summer and has generated positive soldier feedback in testing.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
10. JETS
What does it do? JETS doesn’t fly but it guides things that do fly — and go boom. Joint Effects Targeting System offers soldiers a portable system to more quickly call for precision artillery fire.
How heavy is it? Total: 17 pounds, including tripod. The Handheld Target Location Module will weigh a max of 5.5 pounds. Supporting capabilities include a Precision Azimuth and Vertical Angle Module and a Laser Marker Module, which may or may not be needed depending on the environment.
When might you have one? Limited rollout targeted for 2018, with broader fielding to follow. The end-goal will be fielding one per platoon.
How heavy is it? Between 1 and 1.5 pounds.
When might you have one? Starting sometime in 2019. This summer a limited quantity will be made for soldier testing. Eventually the goal is to give 18 to each infantry platoon.
Why should you care? A soldier wants to identify threats and acquire targets quickly. The thermal-capable rifle scope sends a wireless signal of what it sees to a processor in the back of the helmet that’s wired to the ENVG (both are removable for daytime operations). A soldier has three imagery options in how the FWS image displays: The gun scope's image overlaid on the ENVG view (Crosshairs and a circle distinguish the rifle scope view from the overall view), picture-in-picture (rifle scope’s image remains stationary in the corner, while the rest of the view is from the ENVG), or scope image only (soldiers can simply relay the rifle’s image direct to the goggle, ignoring the broader ENVG image.) That means soldiers can aim their rifle while retaining a full 40-degree peripheral view of what’s in front of them to maintain situational awareness, rather than a traditional rifle scope, which closes the keyhole to 18-26 degrees. They can also look around corners without exposing more than their gun. The sight has a thermal imaging range of 1,000 meters, nearly double most thermal rifle scopes. They can also aim their rifle precisely without raising it to eye level. The signal from helmet to scope should also prove difficult to jam since it’ very short-range with low power emittance.
Will this actually happen? There’s a very good chance. There are working models, it’s a program of record, and it’s fairly tied into the ENVG program. Again, situational-awareness is crucial, so the landscape would have to change substantially to derail plans.
13. FWS-CS
What does it do? The crew serviced version of FWS was specially designed for all your machine gun needs (M240 7.62mm, and M2 .50-caliber). It allows even longer-range, IR-capable precision. In Hi-Def.
How heavy is it? The requirement sets a max of 3.25 pounds.
When might you have one? 2021. There has already been limited testing; initial low-rate production is slated for 2019.
Why should you care? This is the first high-definition thermal weapon sight for dismounted soldiers. It will offer, at worst, 1280x1920 resolution, and will have a thermal-capable range of 2,400 meters. So if it emits heat from within about a mile and a half, you can see it and shoot it precisely, even with smoke or fog. There’s also a laser range-finder in the sight that can align the crosshairs based on range, weapon and ammo. There is a specialized goggle, simpler than ENVG-III and without the full 40-degree-wide field of view. But it still shows the soldier what the scope sees via wireless connection, so the soldier can aim without getting his face right behind the machine gun’s sights. Battery life minimum, per requirements, is 3.5 hours of continuous use, with a spare giving 7 hours for the standard 72-hour mission requirement.
Will this actually happen? Probably. It’s further out than FWS-I and that adds a layer of uncertainty, but this does exist and the Army has been testing on a limited basis — to generally rave reviews according to Lt. Col. Tim Fuller, project manager for soldier maneuver sensors.
14. FWS-S
What does it do? FWS-Sniper is a clip-on that allows a sniper infrared capabilities, all while still being able to use their favorite daytime scope. The add-on clips to the sniper rifle right in front of the regular optic.
How heavy is it? Less than 10 ounces.
When might you have one? 2021; there has already been limited testing; initial low-rate production is slated for 2019.
Why should you care? A sniper doesn’t necessarily like the idea of removing his optic to switch to a thermal one, Fuller said, even if you promise he won’t have to zero the rifle again. So this allows the same optic to do the zoom-in work while the clip-on adds the IR layer for night missions. The Army has worked to leverage research in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED): an LED that’s an organic compound that emits light in response to a current, in this case a display of IR detection. That puts the benefits of thermal sights into a sniper’s hands without messing with a favorite scope. There’s also a wired remote so the sniper doesn’t have to adjust focus on FWS-S by reaching all the way to the front of the optic.
Will this actually happen? It has a parallel production and fielding schedule to FWS-CS, and probably similar odds of coming to fruition.
Prox Dynamics' PD-100 Black Hornet. (Photo: United Kingdom Ministry of Defense)
15. Pocket-drones
What does it do? "Soldier Borne Sensors" are essentially pocket-sized drones that can give a squad eyes in the air. What will likely look like a toy will provide crucial situational awareness.
How heavy is it? The drone itself will max out at 150 grams, while the entire system — controls, battery and charger — will weigh 3 pounds at most.
When might you have one? By 2018.
Why should you care? Because you don’t like surprises, and might want to take a look over the next hill or around a building or wall without an immediate risk of someone (or several someones) shooting at you. The British and Norwegians have used Black Hornet P-100 drones in Afghanistan for years, but the Army wants to go bigger with mass distribution to dismounted squads. The Army hopes an increasingly competitive industry can offer the following minimum capabilities at a fraction of the six-figure price-tag per PD-100: Max weight 150 grams, deployable within 60 seconds, camera that can detect human-sized object within 50-75 feet 90 percent of the time, wind tolerance of 10-15 knots, and range of 500-1,200 meters.
Will this actually happen? Probably. After market research and an industry day, Fuller said the Army has a decent idea of what’s possible, and is optimistic. Now it’s a matter of getting the right partners together to make a functional, mass-producible product that reliably gets the job done at an affordable price.
.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
16. Lightning Pack Rucksack Harvester
What does it do? This kinetic rucksack turns your bouncing rucksack into a power-generator. Incidentally, that harvesting of energy naturally offers a bit of shock absorption.
A soldier conducts dismounted maneuvers wearing Lightning Pack's Rucksack Harvester. (Photo: David Kamm/NSRDEC)
How heavy is it? Currently about 11.2 pounds, but maker Lightning Packs and PEO Soldier are still working to reduce weight and increase efficiency. Eventually it’s expected to weigh less than 10 pounds.
When might you have one? Around 2019 at the earliest; maybe 2020. User evaluations are scheduled for mid-to-late 2017.
Why should you care? While adding weight to a ruck sounds awful, reducing jostling and generating power has appeal. While walking (or running) a regular backpack moves up and down, and each time it comes down, the body has to catch it, creating strain greater than the mere weight of the pack. The Lightning Pack, when unlocked (toggled by push of a button), allows the pack to slide up and down rails between the pack and the rack — which acts as shock absorption to reduce jostling, and also captures power. Walking at 2.5 mph creates 4 watts, and at 3.5 mph about 40 watts.
Will this actually happen? Maybe. The product is still being refined, with an effort to make it more productive, lighter and less bulky. (The gap created between pack and back pushes the load back slightly and therefore gives it more leverage against the soldier). In the end, the Army will have to weigh whether the mission-extending power and shock absorption outweigh the weight and cost of the system.
17. Wearable Solar
What does it do? Rests face up on your rucksack and collects a sliver of the sun’s bountiful energy as you walk (or if you just leave your rucksack sitting on the ground).
How heavy is it? Roughly one pound or less.
When might you have one? 2019-2020. It is tracking on the same timeline as the Lightning Pack, with user testing in 2017.
A soldier conducts dismounted maneuvers wearing a rucksack equipped with solar panels. (Photo: David Kamm/NSRDEC)
Why should you care? With Nett Warrior and a variety of other tech needs, a soldier needs power. This offers energy generation in a panel for minimal weight. It generates 40 watts at full sun. The current prototype, which simply ties to the top of a rucksack, is gallium arsenide; that’s unlikely to be a final solution because of the material’s expense. A cheaper material like silicon is more likely.
Will this actually happen? Maybe. As with the Lightning Pack, the question becomes whether costs are justified by the energy-production capacity. That depends on advancement of the technology.
18. Knee harvester
What does it do? It doesn’t harvest knees; instead this device, which looks like a knee brace, harvests the work legs do and converts it into energy.
How heavy is it? About 2 pounds per knee, currently.
When might you have one? 2019 at the earliest.
A Soldier wears Bionic Power's Knee Harvester. (Photo: David Kamm/NSRDEC)
Why should you care? It’s another way to create energy for soldiers, extending a mission’s expiration date. In this case the device generates about 7-12 watts per knee at 3-4 mph. Since it’s harvesting energy there’s naturally a bit of resistance, so soldiers might not like the sound of that. But the resistance is designed to be minimal, and also has an upside in that the inherent deceleration can save some energy for the soldier walking downhill.
Will this actually happen? Maybe. It depends on if the (electric) juice is worth the squeeze. It’s hard to imagine adding a degree of difficulty to repetitive movement for a few watts, but science isn’t always intuitive.
Senior reporter Michelle Tan contributed to this report.
SOCOM chooses 300 Norma Mag for ASR
It’s official – SOCOM has selected the 300 Norma Mag as the new Advanced Sniper Rifle (ASR) cartridge!
The 300 Norma Mag is based off of the 338 Norma Mag case necked down to accept a .30 caliber bullet. It launches a 220gr .308 bullet at just over 3,000 fps. That’s 4,400 ft/lbs of energy! This cartridge is not to be confused with the 308 Norma Mag.
Source:
The 300 Norma Mag really shines when it is shooting either the 230gr Berger Hybrid bullet – this bullet has an out-of-this world 0.743 Ballistic Coefficient (BC)! (If you’re looking to learn about BC, check out ) When loaded up to 3,000 fps, this bullet from the 300 Norma Mag will stay supersonic out to 1,500 meters! This is as far as a much heavier 300gr SMK shot out of a 338 Lapua can make it before it goes subsonic! Even though the 300 Norma will only have 80% of the energy of the 338 Lapua at that distance with those bullets, it can still make it there accurately with considerably less recoil. Another benefit to the 300 Norma Mag is the overall length is shorter than the 338 Lapua Mag – it is effectively the same length as the 300 Win Mag.
Despite its benefits, it is still an interesting choice. For example, it is based off of the same parent cartridge as the 338 Lapua mag….the 416 Rigby. This means that a bolt with a large face is needed which often means a large action. It is nice that it isn’t a rimmed magnum like the 300 Win Mag (I’m biased against rimmed cases), but I’m not yet convinced that the performance necessitates a larger bolt face and action. For example, when loaded with the same bullet, the 300 Win Mag, 300 RUM, or 30 Nosler don’t fall that far behind the 300 Norma Mag. In fact, there’s less of an energy difference at 1,000 meters between the 300 Norma and the 300 Win Mag (the weakest of the 3 alternatives) than there is between the 300 Norma Mag and the 338 Lapua Mag. And, each of the alternatives listed use a smaller bolt face and a standard “magnum” action.
I’ll be interested to see why this particular cartridge was selected. If I could, I would’ve bet on the 30 Nosler but I would’ve lost.
The ASR or Advanced Sniper rifle program was launched this year after the Remington MSR won the Previous PSR or Precision Sniper rifle, why the relaunch happened is unknown.