tanques e blindados

[gabriel219]

Só se a Alemanha desistir de alguns Leo 2 ou conseguir alguma unidade operacional por ai, M1A1 ou algo novo.

[cabeça de martelo]

British military looks to the ‘Eurotank’ as it weighs its hardware options

By: Andrew Chuter and Sebastian Sprenger



The Franco-German joint venture KNDS displayed its new European main battle tank, a precursor to the Main Ground Combat System, at the 2018 Eurosatory exhibit in Paris. (Staff)
LONDON and COLOGNE, Germany — The British Ministry of Defence has opened discussions with France and Germany about signing up as an observer on their next-generation Main Ground Combat System program, according to government and industry officials in the U.K. and Germany.

Details of exactly what access the British will get to the program remain unclear, as a possible pact wouldn’t be signed until later this year. “Observer status is being granted to the U.K. for the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System program,” an MoD official in London said.

An industry team involving Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Nexter and Rheinmetall are in the early conceptual stages of pulling together a vehicle design to replace Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc around 2035.

A KMW spokesman told Defense News that the company is aware of ongoing talks aimed at making Britain an observer, but he referred additional questions to the German Defence Ministry.

For the British, the link is expected to help inform future capability requirements developed by the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and others as part of the MoD’s Future Ground Combat System program.

That program is considering a series of options to replace the current capabilities in the mounted, close-combat arena from 2040 onward.

The Franco-German tank is not the only program being eyed by the British MoD, which continues to monitor a number of global programs and developers, British officials said.

The German Defence Ministry was tight-lipped on specifics regarding the U.K.’s involvement, though a spokeswoman stressed the project’s international thrust.

“The MGCS project was created with a European approach in mind, open for other nations to participate,” the spokeswoman told Defense News. An observer status would precede a more formal role for cooperation with new candidate countries, she added.

“Bringing new members on board with MCGS is in line with Germany’s aspirations to push consolidation in the European defense industry,” the spokeswoman wrote in an email.

The British interest in MGCS, depending on how far it progresses, has all the markings of a test case for pursuing large-scale, joint programs in a post-Brexit Europe. Military and government leaders from both sides have vowed to leave defense cooperation unscathed after the laborious divorce proceedings that ended the U.K.’s membership in the European Union. Still, London is formally an outside party in a defense cooperation regime engineered through Brussels.

The way ahead for Britain in a broader ground-warfare context might become clearer if the government goes ahead with a dedicated land-equipment industrial strategy as part of a defense and security industrial strategy review.

A land strategy, to go alongside already complete maritime and air reviews, is being considered, but a final decision is outstanding.

The fact that Britain is keeping tabs on the European tank project is a step in the right direction for those who believe the battlefield behemoths still have a future in the British Army. But it didn’t seem that way in August when national media in the U.K. reported the MoD was considering scrapping the service’s 227 Challenger 2 tanks to afford a pivot to more pressing future requirements in areas like cyberspace, space and unmanned vehicles.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace ended the speculation in September when he denied the Challenger 2 force would be mothballed. However, he didn’t say how many tanks the British would update.

Lethality and protection upgrades to the Challenger, assuming they are approved, will be led by RBSL, the British-based Rheinmetall-BAE Systems joint venture. It includes the installation of a new turret with a 120mm smoothbore gun replacing the rifled cannon currently installed on the vehicle.

A decision on the program approval is imminent, with the business case for the life-extension program delivered to the MoD’s approval body late last year. The idea is to make the vehicles last through 2035 or even 2040.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/euro ... e-options/

[cabeça de martelo]

[gabriel219]

[gabriel219]

Êeeee sonho perdido...

[cabeça de martelo]

Scorpion: the last born, the VBMR (L)



By Paolo Valpolini

On 12 February 2018 the French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly announced that the new multirole armoured light vehicle known as VBMR (L), for Véhicule Blindé Multi Rôle Léger. The pre-Eurosatory tour allowed to acquire some more information on the new 4×4 vehicle that will first equip the units earmarked for rapid intervention. The programme was started in early 2017, leading to a RfP that was answered by six teams, all French as the bid was not open to foreign competitors. And the winner was . . . the Nexter-Texelis team! Nexter Systems is responsible for the development, the production and the logistic support, while Texelis is in charge of the design of the chassis and the automotive components. The latter company is a specialist in the design and manufacturing of axles and transmissions for trucks and wheeled armoured vehicles, and has developed a chassis based on its T900 Modular Driveline System fitted with independent suspensions; the vehicle is powered by a Cummins 6 cylinders diesel engine providing 375 hp, coupled to an Allison automatic gearbox. Pneumatics are the standard 14R20 used in the French Army.

The VMBR (L) combat weight ranges from 15 to 17 tonnes, depending on configuration and protection level, maximum weight being 18 tonnes, each axle being able to carry 9 tonnes. According to the design team on-board power is sufficient for all needs, but no more details were provided. The same for the protection level, the VBMR (L) having intrinsic ballistic and mine protection, the former being upgradable with add-on kits, while those are not planned for the IED/mine protection. A Thales Antares mutifunction optronic situational awareness and laser warning system will also be installed in a central top position that allows covering 360°. The vehicle is fitted with air conditioning and NBC protection system. As the development must be carried out in a very short time, Nexter and Texelis relied on proved solutions: batteries will thus be of the lead type, while the windscreen and side windows will be of standard armoured glass providing the same protection level of the vehicle.

Three main versions will be provided to the Armée de Terre, VPB (Véhicule de Patrouille Blindé – armoured patrol vehicle), SA2R (Surveillance, Acquisition, Reconnaissance et Renseignement – surveillance, acquisition, reconnaissance and intelligence), and NCT (Nœud de Communication Tactique – tactical signal node). In its basic sub-version, the Infantry one, the VPB will be able to carry 10 soldiers, driver, gunner, commander and seven infantrymen. It will be fitted with an RCWS, either the T1 or T2 developed by Renault Trucks Defense within the Scorpion programme; they may be armed with 7.62 and 12.7 mm machine guns and 40 mm AGLs. One pintle-mounted Minimi machine gun is fitted at the rear, the machine gunner being protected by side armour plates. Beside the Infantry one, nine other sub-versions are planned, Command Post, Medevac, Engineer, MMP missile carrier, 81 mm mortar carrier, Artillery Observer, 120 mm mortar towing vehicle, SATCP GBAD carrier, and Resupply. The Nexter-Texelis team will deliver one version, the DGA then acquiring the specialised kits according to the Army needs. The VPB will the first version to be developed, the prototype being expected in 2020 while qualification is planned for late 2021. The SA2R will follow one year later and will be available in ot sub-versions, fitted with a surveillance radar or an optronic package, these vehicles providing surveillance and reconnaissance for the regimental Task Force; to ensure long time of operation when static, it will be fitted with an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit). The NCT qualification is scheduled for 2023, this having four sub-versions, dedicated to widen the radio coverage of the Task Force providing radio relay among units.

The new 2019-25 Military Programming Law foresees the acquisition within 2025 of 489 VBMR (L); currently only the first tranche that includes the vehicle development, qualification and the development of the logistic support system, has been signed, three optional batches for up to 461 vehicles being planned, plus purchase orders that might include further developments, further vehicles of logistic support. Some 200 more vehicles should be acquired for support roles, the overall number of VBMR (L) foreseen being 978 for the Scorpion and 420 for support, although a 2050 target number has also been considered. The vehicle, which name might be announced during Eurosatory, will be produced at Nexter’s Roanne plant.

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/scorpion-the ... the-vbmr-l

[cabeça de martelo]

Flat tires and slow escape times plague Marine ACV initial operational test


Marines take the Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 out for a ride aboard Camp Pendleton, California. (Marine Corps )

The reviews are in for the Marine Corps’ newest amphibious vehicle and they are not good.

While the amphibious combat vehicle outperformed the Vietnam-era amphibious assault vehicle it is slated to replace, “across all mission profiles” uncomfortable seats, a significantly higher failure rate than required, and limited interior space that would slow down emergency escapes left a lot to be desired.

he reviews were published in a report from the Defense Department’s operational testing and evaluation office, first reported by Task and Purpose.

The report is based off the initial operational test and evaluation the Marine Corps conducted between June 2020 and September 2020, which saw a platoon of ACVs run through 13 missions while attached to a Marine infantry company, and alongside the joint lightweight tactical vehicle and the light armored vehicle, the report said.

The vehicle successfully completed 12 of the missions, with the improved camera system allowing for better visibility.

The remote weapon system, mounted with an M2 .50-caliber machine gun, managed an impressive hit rate of 91 percent while the vehicle was stationary and 97 percent while the vehicle was moving. However, that remote weapons system “was the source of the largest number of operational mission failures,” the report said.

Overall the “mean time between operational mission failures” was only 39 hours for the ACV, falling far short of the 69 hour reliability requirement, the report said.

In addition to the remote weapon system failures, the ACV also had a problem with tire failures while operating in the desert.

A flat tire could delay the mission by two hours, while the Marines waited for the logistics system vehicle replacement wrecker, known as a LVSR, to life the vehicle as the platoon was not issued a hydraulic jack or any other equipment capable of lifting the ACV.

“The weight, height, and size of the ACV made recovery of a disabled ACV challenging and time consuming, at times requiring additional LVSR support,” the report said.

In addition to the frequent breakdowns, Marines who performed the tests noted that the seats in the ACV were not designed to be sat in while wearing body armor, leading to long and uncomfortable rides while the vehicle slowly made its way to shore.

However, the biggest worry to come from the report was how cramped the troop carrier portion of the vehicle was, making it difficult for 16 Marines in a fully loaded ACV to quickly escape in an emergency.

“Due to the placement and number of blast mitigating seats, interior space within the ACV is limited, making rapid ingress and egress difficult,” the report said.

Marine Corps Times has reached out to the Marine Corps for comment and more details, and has not yet received a response.

https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/y ... onal-test/

[cabeça de martelo]

Creeping weight of Abrams tank concerns Pentagon’s chief weapons tester
By: Jen Judson

WASHINGTON — The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tank is heavier than previous iterations and that extra weight concerns the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester, but the Army’s program office told Defense News the newer version of the tank works like vehicles in the current fleet.

“The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 upgrades introduce suitability concerns,” the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation wrote in a recent report covering the program’s full operational test and evaluation and some live fire testing. “Weight growth limits the tank’s tactical transportability. The M1A2 SEPv3 is not transportable by current recovery vehicles, tactical bridges or heavy equipment transporters.”

Yet, according to the service’s program office within the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, the version is “recoverable, bridgeable and transportable with no new restrictions above the current Abrams fleet.”

Still, the Army is looking to “further increase margins for further growth and safety on each of the supporting systems that enhance all combat systems successful employment and operation on the battlefield,” the office said in a statement.

The weights of tanks and combat vehicles are of particular concern when looking at challenges in the European theater, especially on the Eastern flank. Roads and bridges have weight limits which make it a challenge to move American combat equipment. As vehicles get heavier, the obstacles also increase.

The Army has run exercises on how to get these large armored vehicles around the region in exercises. Should a crisis occur, Armored Brigade Combat Teams would likely have to cover a lot of territory quickly to respond effectively against an adversary like Russia.

The service began fielding Abrams SEPv3 in the fall of 2020. The upgrades to the SEPv2 include improved power generation to support future technologies, compatibility with the Joint Battle Command network, Next Evolution Armor and more protection from improvised explosive devices, a new ammunition datalink and better energy efficiency from a new under armor auxiliary power unit.

The Army will begin fielding the SEPv4 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, according to the DOT&E report. Those upgrades add an improved gunner’s and commander’s primary sight with 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared capability and a better laser range finder and color camera. That version’s fire control system will be compatible with the Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round and will offer improved firing accuracy with a meteorological sensor.

The Trophy Active Protection system will be installed on the SEPv2 and SEPv3 tanks and fielded to four brigade sets to Army Prepositioned stocks. The Army conducted exercises with the Trophy system installed on Abrams during the scaled-back Defender Europe in 2020.

The APS system alone adds approximately 5,000 pounds to the Abrams tanks.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/0 ... ns-tester/

[cabeça de martelo]

French Army VBL Ultima upgrade programme moves to production
by Christopher F Foss

Following trials with pre-production vehicles, Arquus have moved to a main production phase for the French Army’s upgraded Vehicule Blinde Leger (VBL) 4×4 scout cars, with first deliveries to be made soon, according to the company.

The vehicles, called the VBL Ultima, are being upgraded under a 2017 contract from France’s Direction Générale de l’Armament (DGA).

Original trials were carried out with a VBL System Demonstrator followed by four pre-production vehicles, with information from these being fed into this main production run of VBL Ultima vehicles.


French Army VBL Ultima 4×4 scout vehicles on the Marolles-en-Hurepoix production line. (Arquus)

The vehicle’s hull is stripped down at the Arquus Marolles-en-Hurepoix facility and roof-mounted weapon stations removed. It is then sent to the Arquus facility at Fourchambaut (Nievre) where any repairs are done, such as welding or replacing damaged windows. Mounting points on the hull are also fitted to enable applique armour to be installed.

The refurbished hull is then resprayed; windows, doors, and hatches are installed; and it is sent back to Marolles-en-Hurepoix for final assembly and testing before delivery to the French Army.

Arquus said a second VBL Ultima production line has been installed at the company’s Saint-Nazaire plant in order to increase the production rate, although Arquus declined to say what the production rate would be.

The VBL Ultima upgrade now includes replacing the original powerpack, a Peugeot XD 3T 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine developing 95 hp coupled to a ZF automatic transmission, which gave a maximum speed of up to 95 km/h. It is swapped for a new PSA DW10F diesel developing 130 hp and coupled to a new Mercedes automatic transmission to give a higher road speed.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... production

[Túlio]

Creeping weight of Abrams tank concerns Pentagon’s chief weapons tester
By: Jen Judson

WASHINGTON — The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tank is heavier than previous iterations and that extra weight concerns the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester, but the Army’s program office told Defense News the newer version of the tank works like vehicles in the current fleet.

“The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 upgrades introduce suitability concerns,” the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation wrote in a recent report covering the program’s full operational test and evaluation and some live fire testing. “Weight growth limits the tank’s tactical transportability. The M1A2 SEPv3 is not transportable by current recovery vehicles, tactical bridges or heavy equipment transporters.”

Yet, according to the service’s program office within the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, the version is “recoverable, bridgeable and transportable with no new restrictions above the current Abrams fleet.”

Still, the Army is looking to “further increase margins for further growth and safety on each of the supporting systems that enhance all combat systems successful employment and operation on the battlefield,” the office said in a statement.

The weights of tanks and combat vehicles are of particular concern when looking at challenges in the European theater, especially on the Eastern flank. Roads and bridges have weight limits which make it a challenge to move American combat equipment. As vehicles get heavier, the obstacles also increase.

The Army has run exercises on how to get these large armored vehicles around the region in exercises. Should a crisis occur, Armored Brigade Combat Teams would likely have to cover a lot of territory quickly to respond effectively against an adversary like Russia.

The service began fielding Abrams SEPv3 in the fall of 2020. The upgrades to the SEPv2 include improved power generation to support future technologies, compatibility with the Joint Battle Command network, Next Evolution Armor and more protection from improvised explosive devices, a new ammunition datalink and better energy efficiency from a new under armor auxiliary power unit.

The Army will begin fielding the SEPv4 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, according to the DOT&E report. Those upgrades add an improved gunner’s and commander’s primary sight with 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared capability and a better laser range finder and color camera. That version’s fire control system will be compatible with the Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round and will offer improved firing accuracy with a meteorological sensor.

The Trophy Active Protection system will be installed on the SEPv2 and SEPv3 tanks and fielded to four brigade sets to Army Prepositioned stocks. The Army conducted exercises with the Trophy system installed on Abrams during the scaled-back Defender Europe in 2020.

The APS system alone adds approximately 5,000 pounds to the Abrams tanks.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/0 ... ns-tester/

Imagines só o quanto pesa esse "bichinho" e como seria "fácil" deslocá-lo pelo Brasil, cujas poucas áreas planas e firmes o ano todo são cercadas por relevo irregular e pântanos e em seu interior o que não falta são lâminas d'água, florestas e outros obstáculos até para blindados bem menores: IMHO, aqui não se cria.

[Viktor Reznov]

Creeping weight of Abrams tank concerns Pentagon’s chief weapons tester
By: Jen Judson

WASHINGTON — The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tank is heavier than previous iterations and that extra weight concerns the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester, but the Army’s program office told Defense News the newer version of the tank works like vehicles in the current fleet.

“The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 upgrades introduce suitability concerns,” the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation wrote in a recent report covering the program’s full operational test and evaluation and some live fire testing. “Weight growth limits the tank’s tactical transportability. The M1A2 SEPv3 is not transportable by current recovery vehicles, tactical bridges or heavy equipment transporters.”

Yet, according to the service’s program office within the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, the version is “recoverable, bridgeable and transportable with no new restrictions above the current Abrams fleet.”

Still, the Army is looking to “further increase margins for further growth and safety on each of the supporting systems that enhance all combat systems successful employment and operation on the battlefield,” the office said in a statement.

The weights of tanks and combat vehicles are of particular concern when looking at challenges in the European theater, especially on the Eastern flank. Roads and bridges have weight limits which make it a challenge to move American combat equipment. As vehicles get heavier, the obstacles also increase.

The Army has run exercises on how to get these large armored vehicles around the region in exercises. Should a crisis occur, Armored Brigade Combat Teams would likely have to cover a lot of territory quickly to respond effectively against an adversary like Russia.

The service began fielding Abrams SEPv3 in the fall of 2020. The upgrades to the SEPv2 include improved power generation to support future technologies, compatibility with the Joint Battle Command network, Next Evolution Armor and more protection from improvised explosive devices, a new ammunition datalink and better energy efficiency from a new under armor auxiliary power unit.

The Army will begin fielding the SEPv4 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, according to the DOT&E report. Those upgrades add an improved gunner’s and commander’s primary sight with 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared capability and a better laser range finder and color camera. That version’s fire control system will be compatible with the Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round and will offer improved firing accuracy with a meteorological sensor.

The Trophy Active Protection system will be installed on the SEPv2 and SEPv3 tanks and fielded to four brigade sets to Army Prepositioned stocks. The Army conducted exercises with the Trophy system installed on Abrams during the scaled-back Defender Europe in 2020.

The APS system alone adds approximately 5,000 pounds to the Abrams tanks.

https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/0 ... ns-tester/

Quanto será o peso total em toneladas métricas do Abrams SEPv3 agora com todos esse upgrades?

[marcusv]

Cerca de 70 toneladas

[knigh7]

Concordo plenamente com o US Army

[cabeça de martelo]

Muy interesante este hilo de Twitter donde analizan las capacidades TT del URO VAMTAC:

https://twitter.com/ReinaldoDMM/status/1363506713303908359

[cabeça de martelo]