Military Equipment and Tecnology

Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)

2008-10-09T18:14:00.002+07:00

Patriot Advanced Capability, known today as the PAC-1 upgrade, was a software-only upgrade. The most significant aspects of this upgrade was changing the way the radar searched and the way the system defended its assets. Instead of searching low to the horizon, the top of the radar's search angle was lifted to near vertical (89 degrees) from the previous angle of 25. This was done as a counter to the steep parabolic trajectory of inbound ballistic missiles. The search beams of the radar were tightened, and while in "TBM search mode" the "flash", or the speed at which these beams were shot out, was increased significantly. While this increased the radar's detection capability against the ballistic missile threat set, it decreased the system's effectiveness against traditional atmospheric targets, as it reduced the detection range of the radar as well as the number of "flashes" at the horizon. Because of this, it was necessary to retain the search functions for traditional atmospheric threats in a separate search program, which could be easily toggled by the operator based on the expected threat. Additionally, the ballistic missile defense capability changed the way Patriot defended targets. Instead of being used as a system to defend a significant area against enemy air attack, it was now used to defend much smaller "point" targets, which needed to lie within the system's TBM "footprint". The footprint is the area on the ground that Patriot can defend against inbound ballistic missiles.

Through the 1980s, Patriot saw a number of smaller upgrades, mostly to its software. Most significant of these was a special upgrade to discriminate and intercept artillery rockets in the vein of the Multiple Launch Rocket System, which was seen as a significant threat to South Korea. This feature has not been used in combat and has since been deleted from United States Army Patriot systems, though it remains in South Korean systems. Another upgrade the system saw was the introduction of another missile type, designated MIM-104B and called "ASOJ" or "anti stand-off jammer" by the Army. This variant is designed to help Patriot engage and destroy ECM aircraft at standoff ranges. It works similar to an anti-radiation missile in that it flies a highly lofted trajectory and then locates, homes in on, and destroys the most significant emitter in an area designated by the operator.

PAC-2

In the late 1980s, tests began to indicate that, although Patriot was certainly capable of intercepting inbound ballistic missiles, it was questionable whether or not the MIM-104A/B missile was capable of reliably destroying them. This necessitated the introduction of the PAC-2 missile and system upgrade.

For the system, the PAC-2 upgrade was similar to the PAC-1 upgrade. Radar search algorithms were further optimized, and the beam protocol while in "TBM search" was further modified. PAC-2 also saw Patriot's first major missile upgrade, with the introduction of the MIM-104C, or PAC-2 missile. This missile was optimized for ballistic missile engagements. Major changes to the PAC-2 missile were the size of the projectiles in its blast-fragmentation warhead (changed from around 2 grams to around 45 grams), and the timing of the pulse-doppler fuse, which was optimized for high-speed engagements (though it retained its old algorithm for aircraft engagements if necessary). Engagement procedures were also optimized, changing the method of fire the system used to engage ballistic missiles. Instead of firing two missiles in an almost simultaneous salvo, a brief delay (between 3 and 4 second) was added in order to allow the second missile fired to discriminate a ballistic missile warhead in the aftermath of the explosion of the first.

PAC-2 was first tested in 1987 and reached Army units in 1990, just in time for deployment to the Middle East for the Persian Gulf War. Although no evidence of actual hits was ever recorded^[4], it was here that Patriot started to be regarded as a successful ABM system and a proof that ballistic missile defense was indeed possible. The complete study on its effectiveness remains classified.

There have been many more upgrades to PAC-2 systems throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century, again mostly centering on software. However, the PAC-2 missiles have been modified significantly, into four separate variants known collectively as "GEM" or "guidance enhanced" missiles.

The chief upgrade to the original GEM missile was a new, much faster proximity fused warhead. Tests had indicated that the fuse on the original PAC-2 missiles were detonating their warheads too late when engaging ballistic missiles with an extremely steep ingress, and as such it was necessary to shorten this fuse delay. The GEM missile was also given a new "low noise" seeker head designed to reduce interference in front of the missiles radar seeker, and a higher performance seeker designed to better detect low radar cross section targets, such as stealth aircraft. The GEM was used extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with a perfect success rate.

Just prior to OIF, it was decided to further upgrade the GEM and PAC-2 missiles. This upgrade program produced missiles known as the GEM/T and the GEM/C, the "T" designator referring to "TBM", and the "C" designator referring to cruise missiles. These missiles were both given a totally new nose section, which was designed specifically to be more effective against low altitude, low RCS targets like cruise missiles. Additionally, the GEM/T was given a new fuse which was further optimized against ballistic missiles. The GEM/C is the upgraded version of the GEM, and the GEM/T is the upgraded version of the PAC-2. The GEM+ entered service in 2002, and the Army is currently having all of its PAC-2 and GEM missiles upgraded to the GEM/C or GEM/T standard.

PAC-3

PAC-3 missile launcher, note four missiles in each cannister

The PAC-3 upgrade is the most significant upgrade Patriot has received thus far, and is one of the most comprehensive upgrade programs ever undertaken on an American weapon system. Nearly every aspect of the system received a significant upgrade. The PAC-3 upgrade took place in three stages, and units were designated Configuration 1, 2, or 3 based on the stage of upgrade they were in.

The system itself saw another upgrade of its WCC and its software, and the communication setup was given a complete overhaul. Thanks to this upgrade, PAC-3 operators can now see tracks on the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), which greatly increases the situational awareness of Patriot crews. The software can now conduct a "tailored TBM search", optimizing radar resources for search in a particular sector known to have ballistic missile activity, and can also support a "keepout altitude" to ensure ballistic missiles with chemical warheads or ERS ("early release submunitions") are destroyed at a certain altitude. For Configuration 3 units, the Patriot Radar was completely redesigned, adding an additional TWT (traveling wave tube) which increased the radar's search, detection, tracking, and discrimination abilities to previously unheard of levels. In fact, the PAC-3 radar is capable, among other things, of discriminating whether or not an aircraft is manned and which of multiple reentering ballistic objects are carrying ordnance.

The PAC-3 upgrade carried with it a new missile design, nominally known as MIM-104F^{[citation needed]} and called PAC-3 by the Army. The PAC-3 missile dedicated almost entirely to the anti-ballistic missile mission. Miniaturization has made the PAC-3 missile much smaller than the previous Patriot missiles; a single "can" (canister)now holds four missiles where one was once held. The PAC-3 missile is also much more maneuverable than previous variants, thanks to dozens of tiny rocket motors mounted in the forebody of the missile (called ACMs, or Attitude Control Motors). However, the most significant upgrade to the PAC-3 missile is the addition of a K_a band active radar seeker. This allows the missile to drop its uplink to the system and acquire its target itself in the terminal phase of its intercept, which improves the reaction time of the missile against a fast-moving ballistic missile target; the PAC-3 missile is, in fact, accurate enough to select, target, and home in on the warhead portion of an inbound ballistic missile. The active radar also gives the warhead a "hit-to-kill" capability that completely removes the need for a traditional proximity-fused warhead. This greatly increases the lethality against ballistic missiles of all types.

All told, the PAC-3 upgrade has effectively quintupled the "footprint" that a Patriot unit can defend against ballistic missiles of all types, and has considerably increased the system's lethality and effectiveness against ballistic missiles. It has also increased the scope of ballistic missiles that Patriot can engage, which now includes several intermediate range. However, despite its increases in ballistic missile defence capabilities, the PAC-3 missile is a less capable interceptor of atmospheric aircraft and air-to-surface missiles. It is slower, has a shorter range, and has a smaller explosive warhead compared to older Patriot missiles (although it generally relies on its kinetic "hit to kill" warhead).

Patriot's PAC-3 interceptor will be the primary interceptor for the new MEADS system, which is scheduled to enter service alongside Patriot in 2012.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a fire solution computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System (ELES). These elements are integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.

GLOCK "SAFE ACTION" PISTOL

2008-10-09T17:55:00.001+07:00

www.glock.com THE top product among the small arms of the world is without doubt the GLOCK "Safe Action" pistol. It employs innovative safety features which makes the pistol easy to operate. No other pistol offers a better price-performance ratio. Its minimum weight and legendary GLOCK reliability are unsurpassed.

It is exactly these characteristics that meet the requirements of police, special units, security services and the military. Extremely tough tests by public law enforcement agencies prove time and time again that GLOCK "Safe Action" pistols function without compromise, even under the most extreme conditions.

	ACTION Safe and ingeniously simple: Contrary to conventional, the trigger is the only operating element. All three pistol safeties are deactivated when the trigger is pulled -and automatically activated when it is released.
	TENIFER Unique GLOCK hi-tech surface refinement for barrel and slide. Apart from optimum corrosion protection and anti-reflective finish, a degree of hardness of 64 HRC - close to that of a diamond - is achieved.
	POLYMER Corrosion resistant, tougher than steel and still 86% lighter. More than 20 years ago, GLOCK pistols were the first industrially manufactured handguns with high-tech polymer frames

Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Weapon

2008-08-17T02:56:00.001+07:00

Objective The Working Group on Civilian Biodefense hasdeveloped consensus-based recommendations for measures to betaken by medical and public health professionals if botulinumtoxin is used as a biological weapon against a civilian population.

Participants The working group included 23 representativesfrom academic, government, and private institutions with expertisein public health, emergency management, and clinical medicine.

Evidence The primary authors (S.S.A. and R.S.) searchedOLDMEDLINE and MEDLINE (1960–March 1999) and their professionalcollections for literature concerning use of botulinum toxinas a bioweapon. The literature was reviewed, and opinions weresought from the working group and other experts on diagnosisand management of botulism. Additional MEDLINE searches wereconducted through April 2000 during the review and revisionsof the consensus statement.

Consensus Process The first draft of the working group'sconsensus statement was a synthesis of information obtainedin the formal evidence-gathering process. The working groupconvened to review the first draft in May 1999. Working groupmembers reviewed subsequent drafts and suggested additionalrevisions. The final statement incorporates all relevant evidenceobtained in the literature search in conjunction with finalconsensus recommendations supported by all working group members.

Conclusions An aerosolized or foodborne botulinum toxinweapon would cause acute symmetric, descending flaccid paralysiswith prominent bulbar palsies such as diplopia, dysarthria,dysphonia, and dysphagia that would typically present 12 to72 hours after exposure. Effective response to a deliberaterelease of botulinum toxin will depend on timely clinical diagnosis,case reporting, and epidemiological investigation. Persons potentiallyexposed to botulinum toxin should be closely observed, and thosewith signs of botulism require prompt treatment with antitoxinand supportive care that may include assisted ventilation forweeks or months. Treatment with antitoxin should not be delayedfor microbiological testing.

Biological Warfare Diseases & Agents Listing

2008-08-17T02:01:00.001+07:00

Category A

Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)
Plague (Yersinia pestis)
Smallpox (variola major)
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (filoviruses [e.g., Ebola, Marburg] and arenaviruses [e.g., Lassa, Machupo])

Category B

Multstuberculosis
Nipah virus
Tickborne encephalis ne encephalitis])
Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)
Q fever (Coxiella burnetii)
Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis (castor beans)
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B
Typhus fever (Rickettsia prowazekii)
viral encephalitis (alphaviruses [e.g., venezuelan equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis])
Water safety threats (e.g., Vibrio cholerae, Cryptosporidium parvum)

Category C

Hantaviruses
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Nipah virus
Tickborne encephalitis viruses
Tickborne hemorrhagic fever viruses
Yellow fever

Category Descriptions

Category A Diseases/Agents
The U.S. public health system and primary healthcare providers must be prepared to a ddress varied biological agents, including pathogens that are rarely seen in the United States. High-priority agents include organisms that pose a risk to national security becau

can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person
cause high mortality, and have the potential for major public health impact
might cause public panic and social disruption
require special action for public health preparedness

Category B Diseases/Agents
Second highest priority agents include those that:

are moderately easy to disseminate
cause moderate morbidity and low mortality
require specific enhancements of CDC's diagnostic capacity and enhanced disease surveillance

Category C Diseases/Agents
Third highest priority agents include emerging pathogens that could be engineered for mass dissemination in the future because of:

availability
ease of production and dissemination
potential for high morbidity and mortality and major health impact.

by : www.virology.net

Carpet : Minefield Breaching System

2008-07-21T07:26:00.008+07:00

For rapid and effective clearing of mine fields, Rafael is unveiling a new minefield breaching system called "Carpet".

The system is a unique implementation of fuel-air explosive technology. It is an autonomous add-on kit that can be quickly fitted in the field to any armored vehicle. For minefield breaching, up to 20 rockets are fired in a rapid sequence. The number of rockets used is tailored for the type of target engaged.

At the impact point, each rocket disperses a spray of fuel above the target area, to form the fuel-air explosive cloud. The detonation creates a strong impulse over a wide area, which triggers most mines, regardless of terrain, foliage or man-made obstacles. The explosion clears a safe passage, wide enough for safe movement of all combat vehicles. Firing a salvo of rockets from a distance of 65-165 meters from the forward edge of the minefield, Carpet enables breaching a considerable path in one minute.

Pre-programmed for automatic, semi-automatic or manual operation, Carpet is operated remotely from inside the vehicle's compartment, under cover from enemy fire. The system can also be reloaded rapidly in the forward area. Unlike the Vipers, firing line charges across the minefields, Carpet rockets contain only liquid fuel, which is flammable but not explosive in regular operating conditions. Therefore, if Carpet rockets are hit in their canisters, they do not cause any danger to the system, vehicle or nearby troops.

Fully loaded, the Carpet launcher weighs only 3.5 tons. It can carry up to 20 x 265 mm rockets, each weighing 46 kg. Fully functional training rockets can also be fired with the system for training exercises, safely simulating the entire operation (without fuel-air explosion). The system can be towed, mounted on the rear of the armored fighting vehicle (as shown on the IDF Puma AFV at EuroSatory 2002) or installed inside an APC.

Minefield Clearing and IED Neutralization

The Carpet is a modern minefield clearing and IED neutralization system that can clear a path of 100 meters in a minefield with high mine clearance efficiency and can neutralize all types of IED’s The system is operated by two members of the vehicle crew from inside the crew compartment in order to achieve maximum protection.

Easily Assembled Launcher

The Carpet system consists of a launcher that contains 20 rockets equipped with FAE (Fuel-Air- Explosive) warheads. The launcher is an autonomous add-on kit that can be assembled easily and quickly in the field onto any main battle vehicle or suitable military vehicle. The system is self contained, with no hydraulic power required from the host vehicle. The system needs only 24V-28V power. The Carpet is the most efficient system in the world for minefield clearing and IED neutralization/ detonation in any terrain and in all weather conditions, while maintaining crew safety.

Operational Characteristics

Main Control Unit (MCU) controls firing and testing from within the cabin
Cleared path marked with rocket fins
No prior operation is required
Takes only one minute to complete the mission
Quick reloading in battlefield conditions
Crew practice enabled with training rocket

Israel Military Industries Depelopment : Galil Assault riiffle

2008-07-21T06:37:00.009+07:00

The experience, gained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the Six Day War (1967), showed the deficiencies of the FN FAL rifles, which were the main armament of the IDF infantry. The FAL rifles were too sensitive to fine sand and dust of Arab deserts, and too long and bulky to carry and maneuver. On the other hand, the same war showed the advantages of the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles, used by Arab infantry with great success. After the end of this war IDF decided to develop a new assault rifle, which will eventually replace the FN FAL battle rifles and some of the UZI submachine guns. It was also decided that the new assault rifle should be built around the new American low-impulse cartridge, known as 5.56x45mm. During the late 1960s the IDF tested two rival designs, one of the Uziel Gal, and the other of the Israel Galili. The latter design, based on the Finnish Valmet Rk.62 assault rifle (a license-built AK-47 clone), eventually won the competition and was selected as a new IDF assault rifle in the 1973, but its actual adoption was delayed by the next Israeli-Arab Yom Kippur War (1973). The machinery and documentation package was bought from Valmet and transferred to the state owned Israel Military Industries (IMI) company. There are some rumors that the first production Galil rifles were built on the Valmet-made receivers. Although also produced in caliber 7.62mm to increase its sales on the world market, the Galil rifle as issued to the IDF is chambered for the 5.56mm.

There are three basic configurations of the 5.56mm Galil. The AR is equipped with a high-impact-plastic handguard without a bipod or carrying handle with the flash suppressor. The SAR is a short-barreled version of the AR model its gas tube and piston are shorter than the other models.

Israel Military Industries has by no means decided that their Galil is beyond modification or improvement. For example, they came to realize that, by nature of its length, the Galil was not well-suited for close quarters engagements. Of course, the 9mm Uzi functions well in this arena, but there is quite a disparity between the Uzi's inherent firepower and that of the 5.56mm Galil. One solution that IMI has advanced to reduce size without losing firepower is an ultra-compact version of the Galil.

While being a successful weapon, the Galil was not widely issued to the IDF during its lifetime, because during the late 1960s and early 1970s Israel received large shipments of the US M16 and CAR-15 assault rifles at the very low prices. M16 rifles became the major armament of the IDF, with the Galils mostly issued to the Armored corps, Artillery corps and some units of the Israeli Air Forces (Anti-Aircraft forces). The Galil rifles were exported to the various South American, African and Asian countries. Estonia also received some Galil rifles in the early 2000s. The slightly modified Galil rifle is manufactured by the South African Vektor company, a division of the DENEL. Those models included the R-4 (Galil AR), R-5 (Galil SAR) and R-6 (Galil MAR) assault rifles, and are used by the South African Military. Another offspring of the Galil is the Croatian APS-95 assault rifle. The semi-automatic only versions of the both 5.56mm and 7.62mm Galil AR rifles were widely sold to both domestic and foreign civilian and law enforcement markets.

As a combat weapon, the Galil is used today only in the Armored corps, Artillery corps, and some stationary elements in the Israel Air Force (Anti Aircraft). And the IDF already had enough Galil weapons to last it a lifetime.

The Galil is also intended for sporting purposes, that version being provided with a longer barrel, a fixed stock and is semi-automatic only.

Basically, the Galil assault rifle can be described as a modified Kalashnikov AK-47 design, and a detailed description of its functioning can be found in respective article at this site. The key differences between the Galil and the AK-47 are as follows. The Galil featured a machined steel receivers of the original AK-47 rifles, but of slightly different shape. The AK-47-style safety - selector switch at the right side of the gun is complemented by the additional smaller switch at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol handle. The cocking handle is bent upward, so it can be operated with either hand. The sights of the Galil featured a front hooded post, mounted on the gas block, with the rear diopter sight, mounted on the receiver top cover. Rear sight is of the flip-up type, with settings for 300 and 500 meters. Additional folding night sights with luminous inserts can be raised into position, which allows to aim the gun in the low light conditions at the ranges of up to 100 meters. The barrel and the flash hider can be used to launch the rifle grenades from the barrel, using the blanc or live cartridges (depending on the rifle grenade type). The Galil ARM also features a folding detachable bipods and a carrying handle. The bipod base incorporates a bottle opener and a wire cutter. The standard folding buttstock is patterned after FN FAL Para, folds to the right to save the space. Some of the late production Micro-Galil (MAR) rifles also are fitted with the Picatinny-type rail, which allows to mount various sighting devices. Standard AR and ARM rifles can be fitted with scope mounting rail on the left side of the receiver. All 5.56mm Galil rifles are fed using proprietary 35 or 50 rounds curved box magazines with AK-47 style locking. M16-type magazines can be used via the special adapter. 7.62mm Galil rifles are fed using proprietary 25 rounds box magazines. Civilian semi-automatic Galil variants sometimes are fitted with 10 rounds magazines to comply with local firearms laws.

Israel Military Industries (IMI) recently unveiled a new version of the youngest and smallest member of the Galil Assault Rifle (AR) Family - the Galil Micro Assault rifle (MAR), known as the MAR Tactical.

In addition to its standard Galil assault rifle, IMI is producing what is believed to be the shortest assault rifle in the world, the Micro-Galil. This 5.56mm rifle has attracted interest from European law enforcement agencies seeking longer-range weapons for key point protection in non-urban areas. As is the case with the Uzi, three different markets exist: military, law-enforcement and civilian.

The Micro Galil was supposed to have a bright future - it was due to enter the IDF at mass numbers, replacing the Galil Short Assault Rifle (SAR) as the IDF Armored and Artillery Corps new PDW. However, due to a serious flaw in the Galil MAR handguards design the handguards rapidly became hot during firing, to the point that it was impossible to hold the weapon.

Couple of years ago IMI did come with a much improved, redesigned version of Galil MAR, with a completely new, thicker and much better protecting hand guard, a coal-fibre and more ergonomically designed folded stock instead of a steel one, which made Galil MAR slightly lighter, and an extra standard rail, to mount an eventual extra equipment on the rifle. With this new redesigned Galil MAR, all old problems are gone.

Galil Spesification :

Caliber		5.56 x 45 mm	7.62 x 51 mm
Ammunition		M855, SS109	7.62 x 51 mm NATO
Operation		Gas action on piston head
Locking method		Rotating bolt, locking lugs
Feed		35 rd. Magazine	25 rd. Magazine
Barrel		6 grooves 1:7" RH twist	4 grooves 1:12" RH twist
Weight (gr.)
Rifle, unloaded	ARM	4350	4350
	AR	3950	3950
	SAR	3750	3750
	MAR	2980	-
	SNIPER	-	6000
Empty magazine		320	320
Loaded magazine		720	720
Length (mm)
Overall	ARM & AR	978	1026
	SAR	850	918
	MAR	710	-
	SNIPER	-	1112
With stock folded	ARM & AR	742	790
	SAR	614	682
	MAR	460	-
	SNIPER	-	845
Overall	ARM & AR	460	508
	SAR	332	400
	MAR	195	-
	SNIPER	-	508
Sights
Front		Post
Rear		Aperture, L-Flip Set for 300 & 500 m
Night sights (option)		Folded, tritium
Telescopic sight (sniper)		Nimrod 6x40
Sight radius (mm)	ARM & AR	475	475
	SAR	445	445
	MAR	310	-
	SNIPER	-	475
Firing Characteristics
Trigger pulling force (kg)		2.5 - 4.0
Muzzle velocity (m/sec)	ARM & AR	915	850
	SAR	850	800
	MAR	710	-
	SNIPER	-	~800
Rate of fire (rd./min)	ARM & AR	630-700
	SAR
	MAR

Satellite Technology Internet for U.S. Marines

2008-07-21T06:20:00.004+07:00

TS2 solutions have been implemented for United States Marine Corps (USMC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Australian Defence Force (ADF), Command of Polish Navy, Special Military Formation GROM, 1st Special Commando Regiment, Polish National Police, Polish National Headquarters of the State Fire Services, Border Guard (Poland), World Bank Group, Lockheed Martin Information Technology, Halliburton Energy Services, KBR, General Dynamics Information Technology, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, US Naval Research Laboratory, ITT Corporation Aerospace / Communications Division, Technest Holdings / EOIR Technologies, North Eastern Aeronautical Company (Neany), EchoStorm Worldwide, Jorge Scientific Corporation, Erinys International, Aegis Iraq, Warsaw Stock Exchange, Polish State Railways PKP S.A., University of Warsaw, Reuters, TVP - Polish TV, TVN, Agora, PAP - Polish Press Agency, EuroZet, Nokia Siemens Networks, PTC - Polska Telefonia Cyfrowa, Centertel, Polkomtel, Michelin Poland, BMW - Bayerische Motoren Werke, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota Marki, IBM - International Business Machines Corporation, HP - Hewlett-Packard, Manitowoc Crane Group, Carrefour, Colgate-Palmolive, Comarch, PBG S.A., Prochem S.A., Holowczyc Management, NG2 - New Gate Group, LPP S.A., Big Star Limited, Bank BPH, PKO TFI S.A., PGNiG - Polish Petroleum and Gas Mining, Drill-Lab, MEGAGAZ S.A., SCHMIDT Holding, White&Case, Sun Microsystems, PMM - Polish Medical Mission, UPS - United Parcel Service, Polish Medical Air Rescue and SkyTaxi.

New iDirect and LinkStar unlimited access to the Internet for the whole Middle East and Southwest Asia.

This broadband service offer two-way high-speed internet access with no phone lines, no cable, no dial-up modem. It's always on, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. Your computer or Wi-Fi network can receive internet signal, through a special satellite modem which was usually set up in a building or tent when deployed.

Especially for US Army soldiers we deliver VSAT equipment to most of all military addresses in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East within 5-7 days. Our direct and express shipping service in Iraq is limited to Balad / LSA Anaconda Airbase, Basra City, Camp Cook, Camp Curevo / Rashid, Camp Falcon, Camp Ferrin Huggins, Camp Fiji, Camp Liberty, Camp Loyalty, Camp Sather, Camp Slayer, Camp Speicher, Camp Striker, Camp Taji, Camp Victory, Dohok City, Erbil City, Fob Marez, Fob Seitz, Fob Warrior, International Zone, Kirkuk Airbase, Kirkuk City, Mosul AB / LSA Diamondback, Mosul City, Q-West AB / FOB Endurance, Sulaymaniyah City, Tallil AB / LSA Adder, Taqaddum Airbase, Tikrit Airbase and Tikrit City.

SS 18 SATAN : Russian Intecontinental Ballistic Missille

2008-07-15T19:39:00.005+07:00

The R-36 (Russian: Р-36) is a family of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and space launch vehicles designed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The original R-36 was produced under the Soviet industry designation 8K67 and was given the NATO reporting name SS-9 Scarp. The modern version, the R-36M was produced under the GRAU designations 15A14 and 15A18 and was given the NATO reporting name SS-18 Satan; this missile gave the Soviet Union first strike advantage over the USA, particularly because of its very heavy throw weight. It was believed that only a limited amount of US ICBM silos would survive a successful first strike by missiles like the SS-18 Satan.

Description

The R-36 (SS-9) is a two-stage rocket powered by a liquid bipropellant, with UDMH as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide as an oxidizer. It carries one of three different warheads developed especially for this missile:

The Mod 1 and Mod 2 were single nuclear re-entry vehicles of 18 and 25 megatons of TNT yield respectively.
The Mod 4 was a three-warhead MIRV payload.

An additional warhead, the Mod 3, was proposed (it was to be a FOBS, a missile that travels through space in a low-earth orbit), but was not adopted due to the Outer Space Treaty. The R-36P missile was developed to carry the Mod 4 warhead, while the R-36O (the letter O) was to be for the Mod 3 FOBS. R-36 and R-36P missiles were hot launched from their silos.

The R-36M (SS-18) is similar to the R-36 in design, but has the capacity to mount a single warhead of up to 20mt (megatons) of TNT in yield, or a MIRV payload of up to 10 warheads, each with a 550-750 kt (kiloton) yield. Throw-weight of the missile is 8,800 kg. This makes the Soviet R-36 the world's heaviest ICBM; for comparison, the heaviest US MIRV-ed ICBM (the LGM-118 Peacekeeper) carried 10 warheads of 300 kT each, but its throw-weight was less than half that of the R-36M, at 4000 kg. The R-36M has two stages. The first is a 460,000 kgf (4.5 MN) thrust motor with four combustion chambers and nozzles. The second stage is a single-chamber 77,000 kgf (755 kN) thrust motor.

All R-36 variants were designed to be launched from silos in dispersed and hardened locations. The R-36M is placed into its 39 m deep silo in a tubular storage/launch container. Upon launch the missile is shot out of the tube, mortar-fashion, by a piston, driven by the expansion of gases from a slow-burning black powder charge inside the piston. The missile's main engine is ignited tens of metres above the ground, preventing any damage to the internal equipment of the silo itself from the rocket engine's fiery efflux. This “cold start” enables quick removal of the empty launch tube from the silo, reloading a second missile in its container, and thus a second launch before the anticipated retaliatory strike arrives. Thanks to this second salvo capability, the system can launch twice the number of own missiles before the opposing counter-silo warheads can arrive at the launch site of the R-36M.^{[citation needed]}

Development

Development of the R-36 was begun by OKB-586 (Yuzhnoye) in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) in 1962, and built upon the work of the R-16 program. The Chief Designer was Mikhail Yangel. Initial development was of light, heavy, and orbital versions, with flight testing from 1962 through 1966, at which time initial operational capability was achieved. News of the development of the orbital version caused alarm in the West with the possibility that the Soviets would be able to launch large number of nuclear weapons into orbit where there was no capability to intercept them. The prospect of orbital nuclear weapons led both sides to agree a treaty banning the use of weapons of mass destruction in space.

In 1970, development of a fourth version, capable of delivering multiple warheads, was developed, and test flown the next year.

Further improvement of the R-36 led to the design of the R-36M, which provided a theoretical first-strike capability -- the ability to destroy the United States's LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM silos and launch control centers before they could retaliate. However, neither the Soviet Union nor the Russia Federation have ever publicly delineated the missile's particular role in their arsenal. The initial design of the R-36M called for a single massive 12-Mt warhead to be delivered over a range of 10,600 km. The missile was first tested in 1973 but this test ended in failure. After several delays the R-36M was deployed in December of 1975. This “Mod-1” design was delivered with a single 18–20 Mt warhead and a range of just over 11,000 km. This new version was given a new identity by NATO: SS-18 Satan.

The SS-18 has gone through six separate modifications, with the first modification (Mod-1) being phased out by 1984. The final modification (Mod-6) designated R-36M-2 “Voevoda” was deployed in August of 1988. This missile could deliver the same 18–20-Mt warhead 16,000 km. Modifications prior to Mod-6 mainly introduced MIRV (Multiple independent reentry vehicles) warheads. These missiles (Mods-2, 4, and 5) surpassed their western counterpart the US LG-118A Peacekeeper in terms of megatons delivered, range, and survivability, but were inferior in terms of accuracy (CEP).

Multiple warheads

Missiles of the R-36M/SS-18 family have never been deployed with more than ten warheads. But given their large throw-weight (8.8 tonnes as specified in START), they have the capacity to carry considerably more than that. Among the projects that the Soviet Union considered in the mid-1970s was that of a 15A17 missile—a follow-on to the R-36MUTTH (15A18).^[1] The missile would have had an even greater throw-weight—9.5 tonnes—and would be able to carry a very large number of warheads. Five different versions of the missile were considered. Three of these versions would carry regular warheads – 38x 250 kt yield, 24x 500 kt yield, or 15-17x 1 Mt yield. Two modifications were supposed to carry guided warheads (“upravlyaemaya golovnaya chast”) – 28x 250 kt or 19x 500 kt.^[2] However, none of these upgraded models were ever developed. The SALT II Treaty, signed in 1979, prohibited increasing the number of warheads ICBMs could carry. Equally, from a strategic point of view, concentrating so many warheads on silo-based missiles was not seen as desirable, since it would have made a large proportion of the USSR's warheads vulnerable to a counterforce strike.

The operational deployment of the R36M/SS-18 consisted of the R-36MUTTH, which carried ten 500 kt warheads, and its follow-on, the R-36M2 (15A18M), which carried ten 800 kt warheads (Single-warhead versions with either 8.3 Mt or 20 Mt warhead also existed at some point). To partially circumvent the treaty, the missile, utilizing the capacity unused due to 10 warhead limitation, was equipped with 40 heavy decoys.^[3] These decoys would appear as warheads to any defensive system, making each missile as hard to intercept as 50 single-warhead, rendering potential ABM systems ineffective.

Deployment

At full deployment, before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, 308 R-36M launch silos were operational. After the breakup of the USSR, 204 of these were located on the territory of the Russian Federation and 104 on the territory of newly independent Kazakhstan. In the next few years Russia reduced the number of R-36M launch silos to 154 to conform with the START I treaty. The missiles in Kazakhstan were all deactivated by 1995. The subsequent START II treaty was to eliminate all R-36M missiles but it did not enter into force and the missiles remained on duty.

R-36orb

The development of the R-36 missile complex for use with the 8К69 fractional-orbit missile ("FOBS") began on April 16th, 1962. Such a missile provides some advantages over a conventional ICBM. The range is limited only by the parameters of the orbit that the re-entry vehicle has been placed into, and the re-entry vehicle may come from either direction, compelling the enemy to build considerably more expensive anti-missile systems. Due to the possibility of placing the warhead in orbit and keeping it there for some time, it is possible to reduce the time required to strike to just a few minutes. It is also very much more difficult to predict where the warhead will land, since while the re-entry vehicle is on orbit, it is a very small object with few distinguishing marks and is hard to detect; moreover, since the warhead can be commanded to land anywhere along the orbit's ground track, even detecting the warhead on orbit does not allow accurate prediction of its intended target.

The structure and design of the fractional-orbit bombardment system were similar to a conventional P-36 ICBM system. A two-stage rocket was equipped by the liquid rocket engines using storable propellants. The silo launcher and command point were hardened against a nuclear explosion. The basic difference from a conventional ICBM consists of the design of the re-entry vehicle, which is fitted with a single 2.4Mt warhead, de-orbit engine and control block. The control system uses independent inertial navigation and radar-based altimeter which measures orbit parameters twice — in the beginning of an orbital path and just before de-orbiting engine firing.

Flight testing consisted of 15 successful launches and 4 failures. During test launch #17, warhead was retrieved with a parachute. Flight tests of a rocket have been completed by May 20th, 1968 and on November 19th of the same year it entered service. The first(and the only) regiment with 18 launchers was deployed on August 25th 1969.

R-36orb(8К69) were retired from service in January, 1983 as a part of SALT II treaty (they were considered "space-based" nuclear weapons).

Tsyklon series of civilian space launchers is based on the R-36orb(8K69) design.

Elimination

In the last decade Russian armed forces have been steadily reducing the number of R-36M missiles in service, withdrawing those that age past their designed operational lifetime. About 40 missiles of the most modern variant R-36M2 (or RS-20V) will remain in service until 2020 and will be then replaced by newer MIRV version of Topol-M. In March 2006 Russia made agreement with Ukraine that will regulate cooperation between the two countries on maintaining the R-36M2 missiles. It was reported that the cooperation with Ukraine will allow Russia to extend service life of the R-36M2 missiles by at least ten years to 25 year.^[4]

Phalank CISW : The Ultimate Defense Shield

2008-07-15T17:55:00.000+07:00

Developed as the final line of defense (terminal defense or point defense) against anti-ship missiles (AShMs), including high-g and maneuvering sea-skimmers, the first system was offered to the U.S. Navy for evaluation on USS King in 1973. It was accepted and production started in 1978, the first ship fully fitted out was USS Coral Sea in 1980. The Navy began placing CIWS systems on noncombatant vessels in 1984.

The basis of the system is a 20 mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun autocannon linked to a radar system for acquiring and tracking targets. The gun fires at a variable 3000/4500 rounds per minute depending on the Block, or version of the system. It is mounted in a self-contained turret along with an automated fire control system. The system automatically searches, detects, tracks, engages and confirms kills using its computer-controlled radar system. Because it is self-contained, Phalanx is ideal for support ships which lack integrated targeting systems and generally have limited sensors. The entire unit weighs between 5500 kg and 6100 kg (12,400 to 13,500 lb).

Phalanx has been developed through a number of different configurations. The basic style is the Block 0. The Block 1 (1988) offers various improvements in radar, ammunition, rate of fire, increasing engagement elevation to +70 degrees, and computing. These improvements were intended to increase the system's capability against emerging Soviet supersonic anti-ship missiles. Block 1A introduced a new computer system to counter more maneuverable targets. The Block 1B PSuM (Phalanx Surface Mode, 1999) adds a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor to allow the weapon to be used against surface targets. This addition was developed to provide ship defense against small vessel threats and other "floaters" in littoral waters and to improve the weapon's performance against slower low-flying aircraft. The FLIR's capability is also of use against low-observability missiles and can be linked with the Rolling Airframe Missile system to increase RAM engagement range and accuracy. The Block 1B also allows for an operator to identify and target threats.

The U.S. and Canada are in the process of upgrading all their Phalanx systems to the Block 1B configuration. The Block 1B is also used by other navies such as Japan, Egypt, Bahrain and the Royal Navy^[2]

Operation

The CIWS is designed to be the last line of defense against anti-ship missiles. Due to its design criteria its effective range is very short relative to the range of modern ASMs, from 1 to 5 nautical miles (9 km). The gun mount moves at a very high speed and with great precision. The system takes minimal inputs from the ship making it capable of functioning despite potential damage to the ship. The only inputs required for operation are 440 V AC at 60 Hz and water for electronics cooling. For full operation including some non-essential functions, it also has inputs for true compass ships heading and 115 V AC for the PASS and tape drive subsystems.

Radar subsystems

The CIWS has two radars that work together to engage targets. The first radar is the search radar, located inside the radome on the weapon control group (top of the white painted portion). The search subsystem provides bearing, range, velocity, heading, and altitude information of potential targets to the CIWS computer. This information is analyzed to determine whether the detected object should be engaged by the CIWS system. Once the computer identifies a valid target (see details below), the mount moves to face the target and then hands the target over to the track radar. The track radar is an "orange peel"-style radar that is more precise, but can only view a much smaller area. The track radar observes the target until the computer determines that the probability of a successful hit is maximized and then, depending on the operator conditions, the system will either fire automatically or will recommend fire to the operator. While firing, the system tracks outgoing rounds and 'walks' them onto the target.

Gun and ammunition handling system

The Block 0 CIWS mounts (hydraulic driven) fired at a rate of 3,000 rounds per minute and they could only hold 989 rounds in the magazine drum. The Block 1 CIWS mounts (hydraulic) also fired at 3,000 rounds per minute with an extended magazine drum holding 1550 rounds. The Block 1A and newer (pneumatic driven) CIWS mounts fire at a variable rate of 3,000/4,500 rounds per minute and also had the larger 1550 round magazine. The velocity of the rounds once fired is approximately 3,600 feet per second (1,100 m/s). The rounds are armor piercing tungsten penetrator rounds with discarding sabots. The kinetic projectiles are designed to pierce and explode an incoming missile's warhead. Use of otherwise more effective high explosive shells would risk destroying the missile airframe while allowing the warhead to continue a ballistic trajectory into the ship. The ammo handling system uses 2 conveyor belt systems. One of the systems takes the rounds out of the magazine drum and takes them to the gun. The second conveyor system takes either the empty shells or non-fired rounds and routes them back to the opposite end of the drum.

CIWS contact target identification

The CIWS does not recognize identification friend or foe, also known as IFF. The CIWS has only the data it collects in real time from the radars to decide if the target is a threat and to engage it. A contact has to meet multiple criteria for it to be considered a target; some of the criteria are listed below.

1) Is the range of the target increasing or decreasing in relation to the ship? The CIWS search radar will see contacts that are out-bound and discard them. The CIWS will only engage a target if it is approaching the ship.

2) Is the contact capable of making a maneuver to hit the ship? If a contact is not heading directly at the ship, the CIWS looks at its heading in relation to the ship and its velocity. It then decides if the contact can perform a maneuver to still hit the ship.

3) Is the contact traveling between the minimum and maximum velocities? The CIWS has the ability to engage targets that travel in a wide range of speeds; however it is not an infinitely wide range. The system has a target maximum velocity limit; if a target exceeds this velocity, the CIWS will not engage it. It also has a minimum target velocity, meaning any contact going below that velocity will not be engaged by the CIWS. The operator also has the option to adjust the minimum and maximum limits within the limits of the system.

What is described above are the basics of how the CIWS works. There are many other subsystems that run in the background to ensure proper operation, such as environmental control, transmitter, mount movement control, power control and distribution and so on. It takes 6 to 8 months to train a technician to maintain, operate, and repair the CIWS.

Phalanx in combat

The Phalanx system has never been credited with shooting down any enemy missiles or aircraft.^{[citation needed]}

On February 25, 1991, during the first Gulf War, the Phalanx-equipped USS Jarrett was a few miles from the USS Missouri and the British destroyer HMS Gloucester. A Sea Dart missile launched from Gloucester destroyed an Iraqi Silkworm missile (often referred to as the 'Seersucker'), at which Missouri also fired its SRBOC chaff. The Phalanx system on Jarrett, operating in the automatic target-acquisition mode, fixed upon Missouri's chaff and fired a burst of rounds. From this burst, four rounds hit Missouri which was two to three miles (about 5 km) from Jarrett at the time. There were no injuries.^[3] Incidentally, this is the first validated, successful engagement of a missile by a missile, during combat at sea.

June 4, 1996, a Japanese Phalanx accidentally shot down a US A-6 Intruder. The US plane was towing a radar target during gunnery exercises. A Phalanx aboard the Asagiri class destroyer Yūgiri locked onto the Intruder instead of the target. Both pilots ejected safely.^[4] A post accident investigation concluded that the Yūgiri's gunnery officer gave the order to fire before the A-6 was out of the CIWS engagement envelope.^[5]

Land based version

The U.S. Army's version of the Navy's CIWS Phalanx anti-missile system is called the C-RAM, part of the US Army's Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar initiative. The land-based Phalanx was deployed in Iraq in the summer of 2005. It protects the forward operating bases and other high-value sites in and around Baghdad and is deployed by the British in the south of the country. Israel is considering buying the system to counter rocket attacks and defending point military installations. Each system uses a 20 mm M61A1 Gatling gun firing 3,000 or 4,500 M-246 or M-940 rounds per minute.^[6]^[7]

Whereas naval Phalanx systems fire tungsten armor-piercing rounds, the C-RAM uses the HEIT-SD (High-Explosive Incendiary Tracer, Self-Destruct) ammunition originally developed for the M163 Vulcan air-defense system. These rounds explode on impact with the target, or upon tracer burnout.

Similar systems

AK-630, Russian CIWS
Kashtan, Russian CIWS
Goalkeeper CIWS, Dutch CIWS
Meroka CIWS, Spanish navy
SeaRAM, U.S. missile-based CIWS
Type 730 CIWS, Chinese CIWS

Olifant Mk 1B Main Battle Tank, South Africa

2008-07-13T19:32:00.000+07:00

The Olifant Mk 1B main battle tank was developed and produced by the Olifant Manufacturing Company, OMC Engineering PTY Ltd, based in South Africa. Development of the Olifant started in 1976 and first entered service with the South African Armoured Corps in the late 1970s. OMC Engineering later became Reumech OMC, then Vickers OMC and, in September 2002 was renamed Alvis OMC, following the acquisition of Vickers Defence by Alvis plc. In September 2004, Alvis OMC became part of BAE Systems Land Systems.

The layout of the Olifant Mark 1 was very similar to that of the South African Semel tank which was based on an upgraded conversion of the British Centurion tanks. The Olifant has been continually upgraded. The Mark 1A entered full-scale production in 1983 and the first were in service by 1985. In the same year that the Mark 1A entered the production phase, development work was started on the Mark 1B, and these tanks were in production during the 1990s and are operational in the South African Armed Forces.

The South African Army has 172 Olifant Mk 1A/B main battle tanks in operation. The Olifant 1B entered service in 1991. The upgrades included the installation of a more powerful 105 mm L7 cannon, a hand held laser rangefinder and a first generation image intensifier. The range of the tank was increased by the installation of a diesel engine and additional fuel tanks.

In September 2003, BAE Systems Land Systems OMC was awarded a contract by Armscor (the South African Department of Defense procurement agency) to upgrade 13 Olifant Mk 1B tanks. The upgrade programme includes a new powerpack from Delkon which increases power by 15%, upgrade of gun and turret drives by Reutech Defence Logistics, new fire control system and target detection and engagement system with thermal imaging capability, both supplied by IST Dynamics. A follow-on contract for a further 13 tanks upgraded to Olifant Mk2 standard was awarded in September 2005. Deliveries are scheduled for 2006-07.

WEAPONS

The Mark 1B Olifant is armed with the 105mm L7 rifled cannon main gun. The gun on the Mark 1B is fitted with a thermal sleeve for sustained accuracy in firing. The Mark 1B carries 68 rounds of 105 mm ammunition.

The tank is also fitted with a 7.62 mm general purpose co-axial machine gun and a 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

FIRE CONTROL

The driver's station is equipped with a day and night sight and the gunner's station is fitted with day and night sights and an integrated laser rangefinder.

SELF-PROTECTION

The glacis plate and nose of the hull have been upgraded with the addition of passive armour and the turret has been fitted with stand-off armour. The installation of a double armour floor gives the crew additional protection against mines. The running gear is protected against HEAT missiles by new sideskirts.

A smoke screen can be laid by a fuel injection system in the engine's exhaust. A fire detection and suppression system improves the level of survivability.

ENGINE

The V-12 air-cooled turbo diesel engine provides 900 horsepower. The tank has been equipped with torsion bar running gear and hydraulic dampers have been fitted to the first and last pair of wheels.

MOBILITY

The tank achieves a maximum road speed of 58 km/hour and the maximum range on internal fuel is 350 km. The tank can ford water to a depth of 1.5 metres, negotiate gradients and slopes of 60 and 30 per cent and vertical obstacles up to 1 metre in height.

OLIFANT 2

LIW, a division of Denel, has developed the Olifant 2 main battle tank turret, which can be fitted on an upgraded Olifant Mk1B chassis, providing the tank with hunter killer modes of operation, fire on the move and day and night time engagement. The turret can be armed with either LIW’s GT8 105 mm or an LIW 120 mm smoothbore gun and features periscopic stabilised day/thermal gunner’s sight with laser rangefinder, panoramic commander’s sight, full solution fire control system and modular armour package.

Spesifications Mk Olifant 1B main Batle Tank

Crew	4, commander, driver, gunner, loader
Dimensions
length hull	861 cm
length with gun forward	1020 cm
height to top of turret	355 cm
width of hull	342 cm
ground clearance	34.5 cm
Weight
combat weight	58,000 kg
ground pressure	1.07 kg per sq cm
Engine
air cooled turbo diesel engine	V-12
Power	900 hp
power to weight ratio	15.5 hp/ton
range of travel of road wheels	320 mm
Performance
road speed	58 km/hour
Range	350 km
vertical step	1.0 m
fording depth	1.5 m
Gradient	60 per cent
side slope	30 per cent