Term of the day

Monocular, Biocular, and Binocular Sights

Monocular sight is an optical system with a single objective lens and a single eyepiece. Biocular sight is an optical system with one objective lens and two eyepieces, in which the same image is presented to each eye. Binocular sight is an optical system with an independent channel for both eyes. Each channel has its own objective lens and eyepiece, so that the images presented to the eyes are slightly different.

Term of the day

Top Roller (Track Support Roller, Track Return Roller)

It is a small wheel supporting the top run of the track.

Defence Industry

Denmark buys state-of-the-art large-calibre ammunition from Rheinmetall

The Danish armed forces are the first to order Rheinmetall's newly developed PELE 120mm KE round. PELE stands for "Penetrator with Enhanced Lateral Effect". The procurement package includes the modification of existing tank ammunition (the DM 33 A2) in order to improve its effectiveness in modern combat scenarios, including possible military operations in urban terrain. Never attained before, the prime advantage of the PELE system is its pinpoint effectiveness in the target zone, resulting in a drastic reduction in collateral damage.

Term of the day

Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA)

In order to achieve the best possible strength, it is essential to have armour plate with the same hardness and structure throughout. The production of armour plate involves a rolling process to bring it to the correct thickness and to induce some desirable metallurgical properties. The expression 'rolled homogeneous armour' is used as a measure of the ability of a penetrator to defeat armour. Usually measured in millimetres, the rolled homogeneous armour can be used to assess one type of armour against another, i.e., spaced armour and monoblock (solid) armour.

Contracts

Scania Awarded 100 Million Euro Contract for 555 trucks

Scania has won a service contract with the Dutch army. The contract is worth about 100 million Euros and covers the repair and maintenance of 555 trucks and their ancillary equipment.

Term of the day

Composite armour

Composite armour is a term used to describe armour which uses a number of different techniques to defeat the anti-armour threat, e.g., rolled homogenous armour, explosive reactive armour, spaced armour.

Army

Army is to Deploy Troops to Iraq with Computerized Equipment

Following successful field testing last summer, the Army is planning to deploy its new Land Warrior system within the year, bringing the Army a giant step closer to electronic networking of the battlefield. The wearable, computerized system includes lasers, navigation modules, radios, and other technologically advanced equipment to help Soldiers shoot, move, and communicate more accurately on the battlefield. Ultimately, it will improve their ability to fight effectively and survive, according to the Army.

Contracts

BAE Systems Awarded a $251 Million Contract Modification for Hercules Recovery Vehicles

BAE Systems has been awarded a $251 million contract modification from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to remanufacture 113 M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles, provide spare parts and extend system technical support for the U.S. Army.

Term of the day

Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA)

Is is a form of armour in which explosive is sandwiched between two thin armour plates. The force of the penetrator hitting the front armour plate causes the explosive to detonate, reducing penetration. ERA is more effective against high-explosive anti-tank projectiles.

Defence Industry

Armor Holdings Awarded $32M in Soldier Force Protection Equipment

Armor Holdings, Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of military vehicles, vehicle armor systems and life safety and survivability systems serving military, law enforcement, homeland security and commercial markets, announced the receipt of $32.1 million in delivery orders on existing contracts with the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP).

Term of the day

Cleft Turret

It is a type of turret where the gun is set between the two turret crewmen, one either side.

Defence Industry

Raytheon Selects ATK for Stunner Interceptor Booster Motor Development

Raytheon Company has selected Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) to develop the booster motor for the flexible, affordable and lethal Stunner Interceptor, an element of the Short Range Missile Defense (SRMD) program.

Defence Industry

Force Protection Awarded a Contract for 100 Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicles and 44 Buffalo vehicles

Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded a $125,000,000 letter contract for 100 Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicles (JERRV) and 44 Buffalo vehicles with associated manuals, deployment kits, field representative support and training.

Term of the day

Turbocharger

A turbocharger is an exhaust gas-driven compressor used to increase the power output of an internal-combustion engine by compressing air that is entering the engine thus increasing the amount of available oxygen. A key advantage of turbochargers is that they offer a considerable increase in engine power with only a slight increase in weight.

Defence Industry

Force Protection, Inc. Received a Delivery Order for 10 Additional Buffalo Mine-protected Clearance Vehicles

Force Protection, Inc. announced that it had received a delivery order from the U.S. Army for 10 additional Buffalo mine-protected clearance vehicles. The order, worth an approximate $7.5 million, marks the fulfillment of a contract awarded by the Tank, Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, Michigan for a total of 41 Buffalo vehicles.