Land Warfare magazine: gun calibre, US Army modernisation and more

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What’s inside this edition:

Comment

The use of electric vehicles in civilian markets is a reality worldwide, and uptake is also increasing in the defence domain.

Features include:

TARGETING THE FUTURE

The US Army is engaged in an ambitious modernisation process, pursuing a range of technologies across six broad categories. While these goals cover a huge range of systems and capabilities, senior army leaders underline the importance of emerging technologies – such as AI and autonomy – as the force readies itself for a world of increasing peer rivalries.

Other features include:

IS BIGGER BETTER?

The debate about the right weapon calibre for both infantry and armoured vehicles has gone on as long as there have been rifles and mounted cannon. The arguments in favour of smaller or larger ammunition are equally valid, but the right fit depends on what an army is expected to do and the kind of enemy that it will face.

BREAKING WITH TRADITION

The advent of new battlefield airborne threats to deployed forces is causing many countries to boost their protective capabilities. But will traditional missile systems make way for directed-energy alternatives?

LEVERAGING INNOVATION

The use of emerging technologies in small unmanned aerial systems can offer considerable advantages to dismounted troops seeking better ways of engaging with high-capability adversaries.

INCREASING VOLUME

As current-generation tracked IFVs reach the end of their service life, demand for new-production vehicles is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

COMING TO FRUITION

After a number of false starts and scaled-back national programmes, the network-enabled infantry dismount is on the verge of becoming a routine reality.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS?

Even though military circles lag behind the commercial world in their use of hybrid electric drive, interest in the technology remains strong.