Eurosatory virtual visit
Eurosatory 2022 was definitely an exhibition very dense in terms of new systems. EDR On-Line provided you with in depth views on some of them. It was obviously impossible to do the same for all of them. Here you can find a gallery of selected photos with a short description of those subjects we were unable to treat in detail.
Bren-Tronics portable Advanced Battery Charger offers next-generation improvements in size, weight and efficiency. It accepts multiple power inputs, can automatically discharge to less than 30% state of charge most used batteries, and can charge eight BB-2590/U batteries from 0% to full in less than 3 hours, and 16 Conformal BB-2525/U batteries in less than 3.5 hours.
EuroTrophy GmbH, a company established in late March 2022 by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, General Dynamics European Land Systems and Rafael, is in charge of marketing, selling and producing in Europe the Trophy advanced active protection system for wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles. First European customers are the Leopard 2A7 in production for Germany and the Challenger 3 for the British Army.
Will the Leopard 2A7 be the last iteration for this tank which design dates back 50 years? Compared to previous versions the A7, exhibited at the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann stand, features the Trophy active protection system, a powerful power supply, new NBC and air-conditioning systems and the integration of C4 I systems. The drive train was modernised and the weapon stabilisation further optimised. What’s next?
The Titus 6×6 armoured vehicle was developed by Nexter on a Tatra 6×6 chassis featuring independently suspended swinging half-axles. Sixty-two vehicles were acquired by the Czech Republic and are being assembled by Tatra in the Czech Republic in three different versions, command post, liaison vehicle and fire support coordination centre.
MBDA developed the Sky Warden C-UAS modular system that includes sensors and effectors from different providers, integrated by MBDA within a C2 architecture, the missile company also adding some of its effectors. A scalable system, it can neutralise threats ranging from tactical drones to reconnaissance mini-drones, as well as other traditional air breathing threats.
BAE Systems exhibited its Archer 155/52 mm self-propelled howitzer. Not a new sight in Paris, this year the system of Swedish origin was exhibited a few days after the announcement of its shortlisting by the Swiss Army. The Archer is also proposed to the UK for the Mobile Fires Platform programme.
The CV90 Mk IV is the latest iteration of the infantry fighting vehicle in use in many countries. A few days prior the opening of the Eurosatory exhibition the Slovak Republic announced the selection of the BAE Systems Hägglunds tracked IFV for its Army. Just after the end of the show that same country confirmed the acquisition of 152 vehicles armed with the 35 mm cannon.
Developed by Nexter and Texelis, the Serval 4×4 is part of the French Army Scorpion programme and is seen here in the radio relay version, fitted with a mast-mounted antenna. It is equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station armed with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
The turret of the Jaguar 6×6 reconnaissance vehicle part of the Scorpion programme. The French Army started receiving this vehicle that is armed with the CTA International 40 mm cannon. The Jaguar will also equip the Belgian Army as part of the Ca-Mo programme.
In the KNDS stand KMW and WFEL exhibited the Boxer 8×8 fitted with the Leguan bridgelaying module. Two bridges are available, a 14 m long MLC 80 or a 22 m long MLC 50. This version is proposed to the British Army that will rely heavily on the Dutch-German vehicles, now produced in the UK.
GDELS exhibited the PANDUR 6×6 EVO, selected by the Austrian Army, fitted with MBDA`’s IMPACT (Integrated Precision Attack Combat Turret) turret. This was armed with an FN 7.62 mm machine gun and with MBDA’s Akeron MP antitank missile, capable to neutralise an MBT at 4,000 m distance. The Pandur 6×6 EVO is the latest version of the Pandur family and features higher protection against ballistic and blast threats.
The mortar carrier version of the Piranha 8×8 in the Swiss Army version exhibited by GDELS. The vehicle features two large hatches that open up when the mission is called, allowing firing the RUAG COBRA 120mm Mortar System. Fully automated, it is capable to fire the first round within 30 seconds, then three more rounds in the next 20 seconds, and 10 rounds within 60 seconds, at a maximum range of 9,000 m.
Notwithstanding the situation in country, Ukraine was nevertheless present at Eurosatory, albeit the residual defence production capability is entirely devolved to repair the equipment damaged in combat. A photo booklet with images of most types of weapon systems provided by Western countries was distributed. A symbolic but important presence in an exhibition where the word “Ukraine” was probably the most used.
ST Engineering of Singapore exhibited a CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation) version of its Bronco 3 high mobility vehicle, exploiting the mother-ship concept. To avoid putting at risk medical personnel, the ST Engineering demonstrator carries an unmanned ground vehicle that will automatically reach the coordinates of the casualty, who will be loaded on the UGV by its mate, the automated system bringing it back to the mother-ship vehicle.
A close-up of the EuroTrophy active protection system installed on the Leopard 2A7. Developed by Rafael of Israel, this APS is in service on Israeli Merkava MBTs as well as on Abrams tanks in the US, where Rafael is teamed with Leonardo DRS. EuroTrophy is a JV between Rafael, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and General Dynamics European Land Systems.
In the Arquus stand a VAB Mk 3 was used as an innovation demonstrator and was fitted with a number of subsystems that might become standard in the future. Among them a “virtual window” obtained in an innovative way; usually those were based on displays, which are heavy, fragile and expensive. Arquus adopted a different solution, exploiting pico video projector that use the sidewall of the vehicle as a screen.
A new Short Range Air Defence system was exhibited by Diehl Defence. The German company managed to pack into a GDELS Eagle 6×6 vehicle sensors, effectors and command and control elements giving birth to an extremely mobile system that can also fire on the move. The system is build around the IRIS-T SLS Mk III; two missiles are fitted on an inclined launch ramp located on the rear-left, the right side hosting the radar.
Although Russian companies were banned from exhibiting at Eurosatory for obvious reasons, at the Parc des Expositions you could step into a Pantsir-S1 air defence system. Not a real one however, but an inflatable decoy produced by i2k, a US company based in California which portfolio includes numerous main battle tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, air defence systems and so on, not only Russian, to which we can also add some fighter jets and helicopters.
Currently under qualification trials by the German Bundeswehr, the Enforcer developed by MBDA Deutschland is an in-between rocket launchers and medium range missiles, covering the gap up to 2 km. With a weight of 7 kg at launch, the whole system weighs 10 kg, it is a fire and forget missile which guidance is provided by an EO/IR seeker. It has a 90 mm diameter and is fitted with a multi-effect warhead. Ordered by Germany, MBDA looks for new customers.
Nexter of France is looking at export customers for its VBCI, the wheeled infantry fighting vehicle adopted by the Armée de Terre, and at Eurosatory it proposed it with the CT40 turret, armed with CTA International 40 mm cannon that uses telescoped ammunition, the same weapon being fitted to the French Army Jaguar reconnaissance 6×6 vehicle.
A rear view of the Leclerc XLR, the upgraded version of the French Army MBT which programme is part of Scorpion. The plan foresees the upgrading of 200 MBTs, however the situation in Ukraine might leave the door open to the decision of upgrading also the remaining tanks currently in service. The most visible differences are the increased protection and the RCWS on the top of the turret.
On a helicopter simulator it was possible to see “in real” the new capabilities of Rafael’s Spike NLOS 6th generation missile; on the lower section of the right display the “1” and “2” missiles are selected at the same time, showing the salvo launch capability. Beside this the new missile has a linger range, up to 50 km from air and 32 km from surface, thanks to longer wings.
First European appearance for Hanwha Defense Redback. The infantry fighting vehicle coming from South Korea has been recently tested by the national army, and in 2019 was shortlisted for Australia’s Land 400 Phase 3 programme. The 43 tonnes vehicle is armed with a 30 mm cannon and is fitted with the Iron Fist active protection system and IronVision see through helmet, both from Elbit Systems, and with the Rheinmetall’s SolarΣshield that reduces solar heat load and manages multispectral signature.
Unveiled at IDEX 2021, Eurosatory marked the first European display of Iveco Defence Vehicle’s Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV). IDV plans to deliver around 100 vehicles to Dutch forces, deliveries continuing until 2027 at a rate of around 200 vehicles per year. With a kerb weight of 10 tonnes, the MTV has an over 2 tonnes payload, and is being developed in different variants. IDV considers Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the south Mediterranean as potential market areas.
While Soft Recoil Technology (SRT) is currently undergoing characterization tests by the US Army, AM General and Mandus Group exhibited at Eurosatory a Supacat HMT Extenda Mk2 fitted with a 105mm light weight gun equipped with SRT. This solution allows providing light forces with quickly deployable artillery firepower capable to carry out shoot-and-scoot counter battery fire missions.
For protection bases against drones the Franco-German Institut Saint-Louis (ISL), in cooperation with partner companies, is developing the Deeplomatics. Based on low cost acoustic and multispectral optronic sensors, it features a multimodal data fusion system and is fitted with Artificial Intelligence algorithms providing machine-learning capabilities. Refreshing frequency is 40 Hz, a single antenna ensuring a 150 m range, while putting together 10 antennas extends the range up to 1,000 m. The system is currently at TRL 4.
At Eurosatory 2022 PGM Précision unveiled the new generation Ultima Ratio sniper rife family. The first generation rifle was introduced over 30 years ago, so the company decided to upgrade its product adding the latest technological innovations that proved their worth on the Mini-Hecate II, while keeping the characteristic capacity of changing the barrel in half a minute, using a hexagonal spanner, major improvements in ergonomics being added. The new Ultima Ratio will be available in numerous calibres, 308 Win., 300 Sav., 7.08 Rem, 260 Rem., 6.5 Creedmor, 6.5×47 Lap. And 6 XC, with different length of barrels ranging from 470 to 600 mm.
First appearance at Eurosatory for Turkish armoured vehicles company BMC. In Paris the company exhibited a Kirpi II 4×4 in ambulance version, however the company portfolio is much wider, as it includes the Altay MBT, which defence production for the Turkish Land Forces should start soon, the Altuğ 8×8, light armoured vehicles and trucks.
Photos by P. Valpolini
