Levelling up – how autonomous fire control tackles unmanned lethality head-on
As autonomous weapon systems proliferate, it is now essential to use the same core technologies to counteract and neutralise them.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has received a multi-year contract from Smith & Wesson to manufacture and supply hammer forged, military-grade gun barrels for the latter's M&P pistol, General Dynamics announced on 2 March.
Smith & Wesson is offering its M&P pistol for the US Army’s XM17 modular handgun system (MHS) competition. The two companies announced their partnership in 2014 to pursue the army's MHS solicitation, with the aim of replacing the current Beretta M9 with the Smith & Wesson M&P polymer pistol platform as the army's standard sidearm.
James Debney, president and chief executive officer, Smith & Wesson, said: ‘A key initiative within our strategic plan has been the continual development of our flexible manufacturing model through added component outsourcing. That approach has served us well by providing a solid and highly adaptable manufacturing platform for growth.
‘Our contract with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems represents an enhancement of that initiative and demonstrates the evolution of our partnership. Together, we believe we are well positioned to compete for the army's XM17 MHS programme, for which we recently submitted our proposal.’
As autonomous weapon systems proliferate, it is now essential to use the same core technologies to counteract and neutralise them.
The US Marines Corps’ Force Design 2030 is about restructure, changes to operational concepts, a refresh of equipment and new categories of equipment. The review indicates a high level of success.
The new vehicle will be based on the CV90 Mk IV chassis and turret, and will be armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L44A1 low recoil smoothbore gun.
Speaking in the UK Parliament, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said possible changes in the country’s steelmaking industry will have little impact on defence projects; while much of the steel in British vehicles and ships is imported.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the arrival of more Patriot air defence systems in his country. The development follows the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha calling for 10 more systems last month and Zelenskyy reiterating the need for more.
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.