Dedicated drone munitions could unlock modular mission potential
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
FN Herstal has launched a full-size (9x19mm) FN 509 striker pistol specially designed for security forces, the company announced on 20 November.
The FN 509’s slide and grip feature non-slip surfaces, while the magazine catch, slide release and safety catch are fully ambidextrous. Its interchangeable backstraps are designed to adapt to all hand sizes.
FN Herstal said the auto-loading pistol with a preloaded striker mechanism has been successfully tested with a large number of 9x19mm ammunition types including FN EP and EPT cartridges.
The pistol features fixed three-dot luminescent sights to allow fast target acquisition even in low light conditions. It also has a tactile and visible loaded chamber indicator and a 17-round capacity magazine to allow visual instant ammo check.
Top attacks have proven effective against heavily armoured vehicles in Ukraine. A new family of uncrewed aerial system-delivered munitions is looking to press that advantage further.
The Israeli company hopes that producing its Sigma artillery system wholly in the US will help it win a key US Army contract, but it will be up against the popular CAESAR Mk II wheeled weapon and the K9 tracked.
Germany has ordered 84 RCH 155 self-propelled guns, as system incorporating Boxer 8×8 vehicles and the Artillery Gun Module, and 200 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles while the UK has committed to a single Early Capability Demonstrator RCH 155.
While integration of guided weapons on modern armoured vehicles usually takes the form of a podded launcher on the turret exterior, recent developments suggest the concept of firing missiles from a tank’s main gun could be seeing a revival.
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.