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.
Germany has 11 Patriot systems and has ordered more. (Photo: US Air Force)
Germany will receive additional Patriot air and missile defence systems under a US$1.2 billion contract awarded to Raytheon. The company has also just demonstrated the fourth intercept of a target using Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) integrated with a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile.
The German contract included the most current Patriot Configuration 3+ radars, launchers, command and control stations, associated spares and support. Germany has been operating 11 of the systems which have been in service with 19 countries including the US and Ukraine.
There has been substantial demand for Patriot missiles and systems in the face
Already have an account? Log in
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.