US Army seeks industry support to prepare acquisitions of Group 4+ UAVs
The US Army is keen to hear about vendor designs, strategies and potential hardware and software solutions to inform requirements for procurement efforts.
ELCAN SpecterDR 1-4x sight. (Photo: Leonardo)
The German subsidiary of Leonardo has signed a framework agreement with German defence procurement agency BAAINBw to adapt supply up to 107,929 ELCAN SpecterDR 1-4x sights.
ELCAN daylight optical units are already in service with a number of NATO militaries and they will equip ‘current and new Bundeswehr assault rifles’, Leonardo noted in a 13 October press release.
Initial deliveries are due to take place in Q3 2021.
Features for the German Army include a modified reticle and a housing with an integrated Picatinny rail. ‘The most important design change is the ability to operate the switching mechanism from 1x to 4x magnification on both sides of the new sight for assault rifles, while retaining the compact design and robustness of the optic,’ Leonardo added.
Leonardo Germany already provides laser systems, night vision and thermal imaging technology for militaries and special forces in Germany and NATO.
The US Army is keen to hear about vendor designs, strategies and potential hardware and software solutions to inform requirements for procurement efforts.
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.