Internationale ontwikkelingen maritiem

[Ace1]

In China houden ze de vaart erin en bouwen ze LHD's of het niks is

Heel benieuwd of de Chinese schepen ook tegen een stootje kunnen?

[silvester herc]

In China houden ze de vaart erin en bouwen ze LHD's of het niks is

[Parera]

Het zou misschien wenselijk zijn om de Lionfish/Hitrole 12.7MM te vervangen door de nieuwe 20X102MM 3 loops Gatling van Leonardo op de nieuwe fregatten.

Doe mij die 30x113 mm dan maar    Dit is hetzelfde kaliber als de Apache's en met een beetje mazzel passen er ook Airburst patronen in goed tegen kleine oppervlakte doelen en kleinere luchtdoelen zoals drones.

[Kornet43]

Interessant dat men de 3 loops 20 mm & 30 mm voorzien als vervanging van de 12,7 mm Hitrole's/ Lionfish.

Leonardo is developing two new medium calibre guns

The Italian defence industry champion unveiled two new projects for medium calibre guns, one chambered for 30×113 ammunition while the second is a Gatling weapon firing 20×102 mm rounds
At the end of an in-depth presentation of its 30×173 mm X-Gun (a full report on that gun will follow soon), first shown last year at the Seafuture exhibition in La Spezia, Leonardo unveiled two new medium calibre (although company wording defines them small calibre) programmes, one being developed within the same timeframe of the X-Gun, while the work on the other one started in 2023. The development of such weapons is part of the company industrial strategy of vertical integration, which aims at putting on the market products entirely made by Leonardo divisions.

The presentation of the new products was provided during a meeting at the Brescia facility, the home of medium calibre land and naval systems, barrels and other mechanical components being produced in the La Spezia plant. The facility is part of the Defence Business Area, which belongs to the group Electronics Division.

The idea of a 20 mm Gatling gun was launched in late 2019, work starting in 2020, amid the COVID pandemic. In the past Leonardo developed the TM 197B heliborne light turreted gun, which equips Italian Army Aviation AW129 Mangusta and Turkish ATAK helicopters. The three-barrel Gatling 20, as it is defined by Leonardo, will allow replacing the gun of US origin, produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, with a full ITAR-free weapon. This will not happen on the AW249 attack helicopter currently under development at Leonardo, the Italian Army contract including the original M-197, but the new Gatling 20 will be definitely part of the Leonardo offer on the export market. The form factor allows to fit the Leonardo gun into the TM 197B without modifications. The weapon declared mass is 71 kg, and it is powered by a 28 VDC source. The rate of fire is the same of the M197 used on Italian and Turkish helicopters, as it was the optimal compromise between firepower and accuracy, hence the newly designed weapon can shoot 750 20×102 mm linked rounds per minute ± 30 rpm, the chute ejecting cases from the bottom.



According to company sources, the Gatling 20, which exploits state-of-the-art technologies and materials, for example the housing is lighter and easier to manufacture, and overall, the weapon is easier to maintain. Leonardo engineers aimed at solving some mechanical issues adding for example a clutch to avoid issues with the feeder, while performances remain very similar to those of the existing 20 mm Gatling. The gun will be available for both electrically primed and percussion primed ammunition.

The Gatling 20 is currently considered at TRL 6, "but we will move very quickly to TRL 7," Leonardo representatives stated showing the new weapon. During the factory tour a functioning model was visible, however EDR On-Line understood that the gun has already performed initial firing tests. The company will be ready to take orders before year end; first deliveries may take place two years after contract signature, and once production will be launched further contracts might see deliveries within 12-18 months.



As said, the work on the Blaze30, the new gun chambered for the 30×113 mm ammunition, started only in late 2023, however as the new weapon exploits many elements developed for the X-Gun, Leonardo will be ready to take orders from 2025 on, delivery times from contract being similar to those for the Gatling 20. Leonardo makes it clear that the approach has been totally different from competitors' guns, as those were derivatives of weapons born for helicopter use, while the Blaze30 was developed starting from a blank sheet, the aim being to replace12.7 mm heavy machine guns on Lionfish or on HITROLE Light turrets increasing their firepower and effectiveness. As mentioned, the new weapon is heavily based on the X-Gun design, albeit in reduced dimensions considering the much lower chamber pressure of a 30×113 mm round compared to a 30×173 mm one. That Blaze30 mechanism is based on a drum cam, which gives the name to the X-Gun, as during the rotation we can see a cross; a 3D model of the drum cam in real size was visible during the visit to the facility. Of course, it is a scaled down version of that being at the core of the X-Gun, the 30×113 weapon having been defined as a "mini-X-Gun" by some engineers, the main difference apart the type of round being that it features a single feed. As in the bigger gun, the drum cam contains a 24 VCD powered brushless electric motor, which in a three turns rotation ensures all operations, feed, ram, dwell, and extract.



The Blaze30 maintains most of the features of the X-Gun; among these, thanks to the adoption of the brushless motor, it can be fired in the sniper mode, with the round chambered and the shooting process paused until the actual firing, which ensures maximum accuracy. The gun can be fitted with the fuse programming kit allowing the use of airburst munitions; EDR On-Line understood that KNDS Ammo Italy S.p.A (formerly Nexter Arrowtech), which is developing a 30×173 mm airburst round for the X-Gun specifically designed for the counter-UAS role has already launched the development of a 30×113 mm round for similar use, fuse miniaturisation and lethality package being the main issue. The Blaze30 has a mass of 80 kg, is 2,100 mm long and has a 1,426 mm long barrel, it has a 250 ± 30 rounds per minute rate of fire, case ejection being lateral. The weapon is currently considered at TRL4.



https://www.edrmagazine.eu/leonardo-is-developing-two-new-medium-calibre-guns

Het zou misschien wenselijk zijn om de Lionfish/Hitrole 12.7MM te vervangen door de nieuwe 20X102MM 3 loops Gatling van Leonardo op de nieuwe fregatten.

[Parera]

Interessant dat men de 3 loops 20 mm & 30 mm voorzien als vervanging van de 12,7 mm Hitrole's/ Lionfish.

Leonardo is developing two new medium calibre guns

The Italian defence industry champion unveiled two new projects for medium calibre guns, one chambered for 30×113 ammunition while the second is a Gatling weapon firing 20×102 mm rounds
At the end of an in-depth presentation of its 30×173 mm X-Gun (a full report on that gun will follow soon), first shown last year at the Seafuture exhibition in La Spezia, Leonardo unveiled two new medium calibre (although company wording defines them small calibre) programmes, one being developed within the same timeframe of the X-Gun, while the work on the other one started in 2023. The development of such weapons is part of the company industrial strategy of vertical integration, which aims at putting on the market products entirely made by Leonardo divisions.

The presentation of the new products was provided during a meeting at the Brescia facility, the home of medium calibre land and naval systems, barrels and other mechanical components being produced in the La Spezia plant. The facility is part of the Defence Business Area, which belongs to the group Electronics Division.

The idea of a 20 mm Gatling gun was launched in late 2019, work starting in 2020, amid the COVID pandemic. In the past Leonardo developed the TM 197B heliborne light turreted gun, which equips Italian Army Aviation AW129 Mangusta and Turkish ATAK helicopters. The three-barrel Gatling 20, as it is defined by Leonardo, will allow replacing the gun of US origin, produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, with a full ITAR-free weapon. This will not happen on the AW249 attack helicopter currently under development at Leonardo, the Italian Army contract including the original M-197, but the new Gatling 20 will be definitely part of the Leonardo offer on the export market. The form factor allows to fit the Leonardo gun into the TM 197B without modifications. The weapon declared mass is 71 kg, and it is powered by a 28 VDC source. The rate of fire is the same of the M197 used on Italian and Turkish helicopters, as it was the optimal compromise between firepower and accuracy, hence the newly designed weapon can shoot 750 20×102 mm linked rounds per minute ± 30 rpm, the chute ejecting cases from the bottom.



According to company sources, the Gatling 20, which exploits state-of-the-art technologies and materials, for example the housing is lighter and easier to manufacture, and overall, the weapon is easier to maintain. Leonardo engineers aimed at solving some mechanical issues adding for example a clutch to avoid issues with the feeder, while performances remain very similar to those of the existing 20 mm Gatling. The gun will be available for both electrically primed and percussion primed ammunition.

The Gatling 20 is currently considered at TRL 6, "but we will move very quickly to TRL 7," Leonardo representatives stated showing the new weapon. During the factory tour a functioning model was visible, however EDR On-Line understood that the gun has already performed initial firing tests. The company will be ready to take orders before year end; first deliveries may take place two years after contract signature, and once production will be launched further contracts might see deliveries within 12-18 months.



As said, the work on the Blaze30, the new gun chambered for the 30×113 mm ammunition, started only in late 2023, however as the new weapon exploits many elements developed for the X-Gun, Leonardo will be ready to take orders from 2025 on, delivery times from contract being similar to those for the Gatling 20. Leonardo makes it clear that the approach has been totally different from competitors' guns, as those were derivatives of weapons born for helicopter use, while the Blaze30 was developed starting from a blank sheet, the aim being to replace12.7 mm heavy machine guns on Lionfish or on HITROLE Light turrets increasing their firepower and effectiveness. As mentioned, the new weapon is heavily based on the X-Gun design, albeit in reduced dimensions considering the much lower chamber pressure of a 30×113 mm round compared to a 30×173 mm one. That Blaze30 mechanism is based on a drum cam, which gives the name to the X-Gun, as during the rotation we can see a cross; a 3D model of the drum cam in real size was visible during the visit to the facility. Of course, it is a scaled down version of that being at the core of the X-Gun, the 30×113 weapon having been defined as a "mini-X-Gun" by some engineers, the main difference apart the type of round being that it features a single feed. As in the bigger gun, the drum cam contains a 24 VCD powered brushless electric motor, which in a three turns rotation ensures all operations, feed, ram, dwell, and extract.



The Blaze30 maintains most of the features of the X-Gun; among these, thanks to the adoption of the brushless motor, it can be fired in the sniper mode, with the round chambered and the shooting process paused until the actual firing, which ensures maximum accuracy. The gun can be fitted with the fuse programming kit allowing the use of airburst munitions; EDR On-Line understood that KNDS Ammo Italy S.p.A (formerly Nexter Arrowtech), which is developing a 30×173 mm airburst round for the X-Gun specifically designed for the counter-UAS role has already launched the development of a 30×113 mm round for similar use, fuse miniaturisation and lethality package being the main issue. The Blaze30 has a mass of 80 kg, is 2,100 mm long and has a 1,426 mm long barrel, it has a 250 ± 30 rounds per minute rate of fire, case ejection being lateral. The weapon is currently considered at TRL4.



https://www.edrmagazine.eu/leonardo-is-developing-two-new-medium-calibre-guns

[Harald]

HD HHI Signs Contract For Local Construction Of Four Naval Vessels For The Peruvian Navy

On April 16th, 2024, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries ("HHI") signed a contract for the local construction of four naval vessels with Servicios Industriales de la Marina ("SIMA"), Peru's state-run shipyard, at the Peruvian Navy Club (Centro Naval de San Borja). The contract was signed three weeks after HHI was selected as the preferred bidder for the project on March 27th, 2024.



HD HHI press release

The contract is worth USD 463 Million and includes one 3,400-ton Frigate, one 2,200-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and two 1,400-ton Landing Craft Units (LCUs). HHI will be responsible for the vessels' design, equipment & material package, and technical support, while construction will be undertaken by SIMA. SIMA, with the support of HHI, will construct and deliver the four vessels to the Peruvian Navy by 2029.

.../...

The Frigate ordered is based on HHI's HDF-3200 Frigate solution, which is 127 meters long, 14.9 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 26.5 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles. She will be equipped with anti-ship missiles, vertical launching system, and an AESA radar to enhance air defense capabilities.

The OPV ordered is based on HHI's HDP-2200 OPV solution, which is 95 meters long, 14.3 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 20 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles, capable of operating medium-sized maritime operation helicopters. She is designed with space for two containerized mission modules enabling versatile capabilities.

The LCUs ordered are based on HHI's HDL-1400 LCU solution, which is 58 meters long, 13.2 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 10 knots and a range of 1,500 nautical miles, capable of transporting more than seven large armored vehicles or more than twenty TEU containers.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/04/hd-hhi-signs-contract-for-local-construction-of-four-naval-vessels-for-the-peruvian-navy/

[Harald]

MBDA to double the range of Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles with Aster 15 EC upgrade

As reported by Meta Defense on April 11, 2024, the European company MBDA is set to introduce the Aster 15 EC, an update to the original Aster 15 short- to medium-range surface-to-air missile, promising to offer twice the efficiency of its predecessor. The Aster 15 was first utilized aboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in 2001, marking Europe's introduction to vertical launch surface-to-air missiles.

The Aster missile family includes two models: the Aster 15, which is designed for short to medium-range, and the Aster 30, which is intended for longer-range engagements. Both models have identical missile bodies, but the Aster 30 employs a larger booster to increase its range and speed. The Aster 15 is more compact at 4.2 meters in length and lighter at 310 kg compared to the Aster 30, which weighs 450 kg and has a length of just under 5 m. Due to its larger size, the Aster 30 requires the longer tubes of the Sylver A50 or A70 vertical launching systems (VLS) for naval deployments, although it is also compatible with the American Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.

The Aster series was used effectively for the first time in naval combat in late 2023 when French Navy frigates, Languedoc and Alsace, engaged Houthi drones and missiles in the Red Sea, firing over 22 missiles. The Aster 30 missile has also been included in the SAMP/T ground-based air defense system, a system supplied to Ukraine to counter Russian missiles.

In response to advancements in comparable systems, such as the American ESSM and the Russian 9M37 Buk, which now achieve ranges of up to 50 km and beyond, MBDA has decided to upgrade the Aster 15, similar to previous enhancements seen in the Aster 30 through various block upgrades. Originally, the Aster 15 had a range of up to 30 km, modest compared to the Aster 30's capability of over 120 km.

Developed as part of a missile family initiated by France and Italy in the 1990s, the Aster 15 is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 3, and has gained recognition for its agility and ability to intercept swiftly moving and maneuverable targets, including those flying at low or steep dive trajectories. Its active radar seeker facilitates autonomous tracking of stealth targets, allowing for the simultaneous launch of multiple missiles to counter saturating attacks effectively.

In line with the evolutionary trajectory of its counterpart, the Aster 30, which has progressed into the Block 1 and Block 1 NT versions with mid-range ballistic missile defense capabilities, the Aster 15 is set to receive a significant update. This new iteration, referred to as the Aster 15 EC (Enhanced Capabilities), seeks to align with the refined threat response capabilities of the Aster 30 Block 1 NT. While maintaining the physical dimensions required for integration into existing vertical launch systems like the Sylver A43 launchers found on vessels such as the Charles de Gaulle and the first six multi-mission frigates, the upgrade aims to enhance the missile's autodirector, guidance algorithms, flight profile, and onboard computational power. These enhancements are anticipated to double the missile's range and decrease the minimum engagement distance, thereby strengthening both long-range offensive and close-range defensive capabilities.

The development of the Aster 15 EC missile will be a crucial component of the modernization initiative for the four Horizon-class air defense frigates resulting from the Franco-Italian collaboration. This modernization effort includes the upgrading of radar and combat systems to newer iterations that enhance target detection and engagement capabilities. These enhancements are slated to commence with the Italian frigates Andrea Doria and Caio Duilio in 2027, followed by the French Forbin and Chevalier Paul in 2029 and 2030, respectively, coinciding with the integration of the Aster 15 EC.

Additionally, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier is scheduled for its third major technical stop in 2027, during which it will replace its existing firing installations with a new reconfigurable firing installation (ITR) specifically designed for the Aster 15 EC. This update corresponds with the replacement of the carrier's radar systems and the adoption of a centralized architecture for the combat direction system, thereby enhancing its overall self-defense capabilities.

https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2024/april/14239-mbda-to-double-the-range-of-aster-15-surface-to-air-missiles-with-aster-15-ec-upgrade.html

[Harald]

Navy's new landing ship could cost billions more than planned: CBO

CBO says buying 18 medium landing ships could cost $3.6 billion more than the Navy expects, a 138 percent overrun.

The Navy's upcoming medium landing ship could cost billions more than the service plans, according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office.

The CBO believes an 18-ship fleet would cost between $6.2 billion and $7.8 billion in 2024 (inflation-adjusted) dollars, or $340 million to $430 million per ship. That's a stark contrast to Navy figures, which, according to the CBO, has an 18-ship program at $2.6 billion total, or about $150 million per ship.

Even using the more optimistic CBO figure, the gap between the two totals is eyewatering: $3.6 billion more, or a 138 percent overrun.

However, the figures come with a very large caveat: CBO admits that there are a number of factors that could shift things up or down. Among them are design decisions (ships designed to commercial standards are cheaper than those of military standards) and quantity of buy (the Navy has discussed extending the buy up to 35 ships, which would impact both the per unit and overall costs significantly.)

The medium landing ship is part of the US Marine Corps Force Design 2030 effort, which has the Corps shifting away from some traditional missions and towards capabilities that supporters say will be most relevant in the Pacific. The new ship is intended to transport Marine littoral regiments in and around a conflict, with a focus on a potential conflict with China.

The program has actual funding laid out in the fiscal 2025 request: One ship purchased in FY25 and FY26, followed by two ships per year throughout the current future years defense program ending in FY29. The requested funding for FY25 is $268 million with future years' requests gradually ramping up to above $300 million in FY28 and FY29.

The characteristics being discussed by service leaders put the length of the ship between 200 to 400 feet, with a speed of 14 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles. The ship would require a crew of 70, and is supposed to be able to transit 50 marines plus equipment, with a 20 year service life.

The Marine Corps began the formal request for soliciting proposals earlier this year and will spend much of 2024 receiving and evaluating potential offers. A contract to the chosen shipbuilder is anticipated for award in March 2025 and the first ship will be due for delivery roughly four years later in February 2029, according to the new budget documents.

According to OMB, the Navy awarded early contracts to five contractors for preliminary work on the design: "Austal Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipbuilding, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, VT Halter Marine (now owned by Bollinger and renamed Bollinger Mississippi), and TAI Engineers."

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/04/navys-new-landing-ship-could-cost-billions-more-than-planned-cbo/

[Parera]

Oude wijn in nieuwe zakken.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Towers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-based_X-band_Radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunsell_Forts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_Forts

Die ken ik, ik had het meer over het herladen van de VLS cellen op zee op deze manier. Een slimme oplossing, al is het natuurlijk een semi-stationair platform waardoor het voor een vijand relatief makkelijk te lokaliseren is.

[Ace1]

Dat niemand hier eerder over na gedacht heeft

Oude wijn in nieuwe zakken.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Towers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-based_X-band_Radar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunsell_Forts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber_Forts

[Parera]

Dat niemand hier eerder over na gedacht heeft
Concept Turns Oil Rigs Into Mobile Missile Defense And Supply Bases
https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2024/2024/04/leidos-concept-turns-oil-rigs-into-mobile-missile-defense-and-supply-bases/

[Parera]

Ja ik zie mogelijkheden, zeker omdat de CLAS ook IRIS-T gaat krijgen op de G5's. Mogelijkheden tot samenwerking    De PAC3 zal nog een uitdaging worden, de US gaat het op dit moment alleen ontwikkelen voor AEGIS. Als wij PAC3 maritiem willen moeten we dat dus zelf ontwikkelen (CMS aansturing).

[Huzaar1]

Ofwel, de kans op succes in Taiwan is het groots vanaf nu tot en met 2038.

[Huzaar1]

Iris-T SLM is planned to be integrated into VLS for naval vessels


In order to provide sufficient ammunition ....for the units at sea, Diehl can imagine another concept: the use of Iris-T SLM on ideally unmanned escort ships that are assigned to high-value units such as the Class 124 air defense frigates and carry a large number of missiles . The missiles are then instructed and guided by the frigates' sensors. 

The Dutch Navy is already pursuing such a project, which wants to procure two small ships with few crews. These should have a larger number of containerized air defense missiles and accompany the Dutch Navy's combat ships at a distance of just a few kilometers. With the help of these magazine ships, volleys of incoming missiles can also be repelled in an emergency, or so the Dutch imagine. Apparently it has not yet been decided which missiles should be equipped on the ships.

https://www.hartpunkt.de/iris-t-slm-soll-in-vls-fuer-marineschiffe-integriert-werden/

[Ace1]