Australian Army experiments with UGVs, but seeks understanding before proliferation
The Australian Army is exploring the options and benefits of a wide range of UGVs.
Raytheon has announced that it has recently received a new contract to deliver its uncooled thermal systems to an unnamed customer. The award brings the total value of similar contracts received by the company over the past twelve months to more than $75 million.
The contracts include orders for Raytheon’s rugged PhantomIRxr binoculars and thermal weapon sights, both designed with the company’s uncooled advanced thermal detector technology. This technology enables forces to detect, recognise and positively identify threats for engagement of targets equally in day or night, in smoke or fog.
The awards also cover the driver's vision enhancer (DVE) systems. Tracked and wheeled vehicles equipped with the DVE provide 24-hour manoeuvring capability, including full vehicle mobility in battlefield fog and haze.
Jeff Miller, vice president of Combat and Sensing Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems, said: ‘Raytheon's uncooled thermal systems give forces a clear advantage: Operating in complete darkness enables the warfighter to use the system in any battlefield condition, increasing survivability and lethality across multiple missions. Our customers expect us to be a long-term partner. We are committed to providing maintenance and spare parts for the next decade and beyond.’
The Australian Army is exploring the options and benefits of a wide range of UGVs.
The Archer artillery system was rushed into service and training of British Army trainers began in October 2023 before live fire trials just over a year later.
The six-month old Labour leadership in the UK has already made cuts and army programmes could be on the chopping block in 2025. Where might the axe fall?
VAMTAC vehicles are expected to replace one-quarter of New Zealand’s Pinzgauers and Unimogs.
Elbit Systems has signed another US$967 million in orders in the past three months after reporting its land revenues increased by 24% for 3Q2024 compared to 3Q 2023 thanks to increasing ammunition and munition sales in Israel.
BAE Systems has been contracted to install modifications on older versions of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) creating the M2A4 and M7A4 and keeping the platform in service until 2050.