Thursday, November 30, 2006
Modernized Abrams tanks are soon to be launched
Abrams tanks will be modernized with the M1A2 Syatem Enhancement Package (SEP). This system represents the fully technicnically advanced platform. During this renovation Abrams tanks will be equipped with sophisticated control and command system, G2 Thermal Imaging and new improved armor.
The tanks will be also equipped with intensive armoring. The package will contain frontal and side protection, substantial grate for the motor-transmission section, side screens, dynamical armoring and dashboards for the guns, which are installed above the hatch of the commander and gunlayer.
These upgrades will start in November 2006 and run through November 2009. Delieveries are schedueled for May 2008 through November 2009.
Posted by OpticsPlanet at 7:37 PM Read Article 0 comments 
Monday, November 27, 2006
Top ten models of rifles and guns
The models were evaluated taking into the consideration five factors: shooting accuracy, reliability,military effectiveness, design eccentricity and serviceability.
The first place takes the AK-47 (Kalashnikov). There were no doubts about it! Americans could personally test it in many hot spots. Due to it's wide popularity among criminals, import of the Kalashnikov to the United States of America is prohibited. AK-47 is added to the military arsenal of 50 countries and the general number of the manufactured barrels arrives at 100 millions! The AK-47 was relatively cheap and easy to produce, and moreover is very easy to maintain.
Second on the list is automatic assault rifle M-16, which is very loved by americans. The M16 is an outstanding performer with superb accuracy, handling, service length and combat effectiveness.
The third place goes to honourable old stager of tens wars - the Bolt-Action Rifle Lee-Enfield SMLE. This weapon had been used by British troops since World War I to the 1956 Suezz crisis, and from that time it has built it's reputation on reliability, accuracy and a phenomenal rate of fire.
Fourth on the list is "Japan winner" semiautomatic rifle M1 Garand. This rifle proved to be a heavy battle rifle after being adopted by the U.S. Army in 1936.
Belgian automatic rifle FN FAL takes the fifth place. This rifle proudly service to the Australian army in the jungles of Vietnam, to Israeli troops during the Six-Day War, etc.
The rest places and rifles are placed as shown:
The sixth place goes to Bolt-Action German Rifle MAUSER K98k CARBINE.
The seventh place is taken by the Fully Automatic Bull-Pup Assault Rifle STEYR AUG, which is produced in Austria.
The Bolt-Action Rifle 1903 SPRINGFIELD takes the eighth place in this contest.
The nineth place is occupied by the german automatic assault rifle STURMGEWEHR 44.
And the last, but not the least place is given to the american automatic rifle M14.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Dual-Mode, Remote-Controled System Thor
Remotely controlled from an operator’s station this device also features an M2 12.7mm machine gun and laser setting intended for neutralizing explosive hazards, including improvised explosive devices.
This high-energy laser allows to clear unexploded shells, missiles and ordnance without detonation, producing a non-explosive burning or deflagration reaction in the explosive fill. And the machine gun allows to destroy ordnance and explosive devices in massive bodies, which cannot be effected by laser.
Thor is also equipped with optoelectronic system detecting shells and mines independently from weather and daylight. System characteristics give the oportunity to use it for escort, defense breakthrough and area cleaning along with an army troopers in their Military Gear. Armoring body gives the opportunity to stand a fire of small arms and small-bore flack.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
US Navy is getting the New Laser Target Designators
These target designators have been very actively used by the special US forces for highlighting the target before the attack with the use of ammunition which have laser red dot sights, pointing according to the leam.
This device weighs only 12.13 pounds and is very compact 0.85x0.98x0.43 ft. The target designator can work both in automatic, as well as in manual mode. The laser target designator precisely determines the distance to a target . And the reflected beam receiver resolution capacity is 50 meters.
In the target highlight mode this device creates a small size laser "spot" and provides the opportunity of the defeat of the low-sized and highly-protected targets.
Laser target designators will be added to the arcenals of U.S. Navy and Marines Corpes, which are responsible for the target designation of naval airplanes.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Camouflage For Technical Equipment
American HyperStealth Biotechnology Corporation announced about it's developments in the field of perfectioning the protection equipment for the US Army. Camouflage for technical equipment and buildings is elaborated on the existing technological base of the United States and Canada.
I can remind you that the Pentagon had been repeatedly complaining that during specific fighting operations military men are to wear camouflage, which doesn't correspond with the color of surroundings.
So, new camouflage which is based on the CADPAT and MARPAT technologies, allows to hide US military equipment more effectively. And makes it almost invisible at visual contact and poor light. The invention of the HyperStealth Biotechnology Corporation is planned to be used as camouflage for buildings, because United States Air Force airplanes use the standard gray color, trying to avoid colored camouflage.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Marine's New LAV-A2
Tetraaxial ATC LAV-A2 represents an improved version of the Marine's Light Armored Vehicle, which is being used in the US Marines since 1980's and continues it's service today.
In terms of basic LAV chassis there had been developed and delivered to the Marine Corps several modifications/series of LVA, such as armored personnel, anti-tank, command and control, logistics and mortar variants.
LAV-A2 is supplied with Detroit Diesel engine 6V53T, developing 275 horsepower coupled with six-speed automatic transmission. Four rear wheels drive vehicle at all times, while eight wheel drive can be selected if needed. Compared to permanent all- wheel drive system, this one allows to save fuel while driving. Besides that, all Armored Vehicles can float. The basic version of LAV-A2 is equipped with Bushmaster 25mm gun joined with a 7.62 mm machine-gun. On the top of the vehicle there is an attached 7.62 caliber/12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun-machine. More over, there are also smoke grenade cup discharges attached on the top of the LAV.
Light Armored Vehicle-A2 is fully equipped with the modern target designation system, which includes laser range finder and thermal imager.
According to the signed $189 million cotract General Dynamics Land Systems committed to supply US Marine corps with 151 armored troop-carriers by the end of 2008, the first ones will be delivered in July 2007.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
German Helmets For Rescue
During the next several weeks Estonia Armed Forces are planning to substitute all helmets manufactured in the US, which they have at their command, with German produced helmets. By the end of this year there will be 16 000 German helmets purchased.
According to the characteristics and shape of the new German kevlar helmets, they resemble their american counterparts, though a very important fact, they weigh less - 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg).
Joint Staff Officer of the Armed Forces informed, that the main thing in these new helmets is comfort and convenience. Compared to the helmets manufactured in Germany, which have two straps at the front and one at the back of the head, american helmets had only two. This allows to attach additional devices to the helmet, such as night vision monocular.
According to Officer this helmet, which is used in Bundeswehr, costs about 2000 kroons, but estonian army will purchase it for 800 kroons. All used american helmets will be given to the Estonian Territorial Army.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Unique Employee on Air Force Base
As a result, with this technical device now we can get an accurate map of the inner premises of a building. After that this map could be added with additional information about the character of use of every specific room. Also the information gathered by this robot-tecnical machine can become basic info for the conducting different types of inventory. By the way, the speed of this robot is very high and only one this device is capable to substitute the whole group of specialists.
Besides gathering the information about the premises, this device can determine it's own location, using the plan of the rooms and comparing objects, which it sees with the data that it has and which had been entered into it's memory.
So, without any doubts this device could become either a house dog or a spy, or even both.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Military Advanced Tactical Laser
Boeing Company proceeded to the final experimental stage testing the Military Advanced Tactial Laser (short for ATL), which is installed on the board of an airplane. Though earlier we were talking about destroying the ballistic missiles when taking off, but now it's said that this setting is intended for destroying targets on the ground including urban area at night with the help of night vision. The project of air stationing of this military laser is extremely interesting from the technical point of view.
Originally the project was called Airborne Laser (ABL). And the idea was to install the extra-high-power laser on the Boeing 747, which will go round along the hostile boundaries during war crisis. When the ballistic missile starts up the airplane will locate it and from the hunderds of miles will struck the missile with laser. So, from the technical point of view this machine, the prototype of which of is being tested for quite a long period of time, can be surely called the real wonder of engineering!