SNAFU!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Israeli self propelled gun competition and Lockheed Martin.

Thanks for the article Jonathan!

via Israeli Defense

Revealed: US company Lockheed Martin, KMW of Germany and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have recently signed a cooperation agreement for joint production for the IDF, in the framework of the Israeli Artillery Corps’ next self-propelled gun, named Cardom.
The development began in the past few days after a decision was made in IDF Ground Forces Command to begin the replacement of the IDF’s self-propelled gun layout, already during the next five years. The IDF is interested in taking the M-109 cannon (“Doher") out of service, after being in IDF service for nearly 40 years. The Ground Forces Command is interested in a 52 caliber autonomous cannon with a 155mm barrel, high rate of fire, and a crew which is as small as needed for its operation.
In the framework of the new tender, IAI’s Land Division presented the new platform to the IDF. According to the agreement that was formulated in the past few days, the sel—propelled gun being offered to the IDF will be based on KMW’s AGM cannon, which is assembled on the body of an MLRS rocket launcher by Lockheed Martin. The production will be carried out by Lockheed Martin in the US, so that the project can be funded by US foreign defense aid.

Slowly but surely Lockheed Martin is dipping its toe into the armored vehicle market.

With carefully selected partners. Partners that have a track record of success and combat proven vehicles, Lockheed Martin is making inroads.

The teaming with KMW and the teams selection of the AGM is a stroke of genius. The concept is simply brilliant. The idea of developing a gun module that is capable of being mounted on trucks, wheeled armored vehicles, tracked armored vehicles and even ships is mind blowing.

I like the concept and the project/contest is worth watching. Also interesting is the fact that Israel is sticking with mechanized artillery and not switching to towed versions. Israeli war fighting doctrine seems to have rejected the idea of light weight, wheel based formations in favor of heavy mechanized infantry units. I like it.

French running into Afghan tactics in Mali.

In the afternoon, during the progression towards the South, an AMX 10 RC was hit by an explosion, killing the pilot and injuring three other crew members, including two seriously. These quickly evacuated by medical helicopter, were supported by the surgical unit stationed in Tessalit transportable. Any terrorist has been detected in this area during the action. Two caches of weapons and food were located and destroyed earlier in the day.

This operation, like all those carried out since February 18 in the Adrar des Ifoghas aims to seek out and destroy terrorist groups and to dismantle their sanctuaries.

French soldier killed in this operation is a corporal from 1 ^st Marine Infantry Regiment (1 ^st RIMa) Angoulême.

Sad and unfortunate.

Its disturbing that we haven't successfully demonstrated an ability to "kill" all IED's in our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mine warfare (by a different name) has been a serious issue since WW1 and looks to continue to be for the near future at least.

Quite honestly I'm waiting for it to be used by sleeper cells against a civilian population soon. If that is ever done and if it is successful then we could see entire regions brought to a standstill.