German rearmament – three potential scenarios
With the possibility of a massive increase in German defence spending on the horizon, Shephard analyses what such a boost could mean for the Bundeswehr’s procurement of new armoured vehicles.
The conventional hypersonic missile test took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (Photo: US DoD)
The US Army and US Navy (USN) have conducted the first live-fire of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system using a battery operations centre and a transporter erector launcher.
The test was conducted by the army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) in collaboration with the USN Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), and involved a successful end-to-end flight test of a conventional hypersonic missile.
It was the second successful end-to-end flight test of the All Up Round (AUR) this year and took place from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Northrop Grumman opens new hypersonic propulsion facility
US hypersonic programmes to receive almost $7 billion in 2025
US Army and US Navy test common hypersonic missile in Hawaii
Information gathered from this test will support the first army operational deployment of the common hypersonic AUR as well as a USN sea-based fielding.
Hypersonic systems are designed to fly at Mach 5 and provide a combination of speed, range, manoeuvrability and altitude that enables highly survivable and rapid defeat of time-critical and heavily-defended targets.
The development of the common hypersonic AUR will support the government’s National Defense Strategy and provide combatant commanders with diverse capabilities to sustain and strengthen integrated deterrence and build enduring advantages.
The US Army RCCTO and USN SSP programmes are partnered to rapidly field land and sea variants of a hypersonic weapon system that will meet critical joint warfighting needs.
The Department of Defense said: “The use of a common hypersonic missile and joint test opportunities allow the Services to pursue a more aggressive timeline for delivery and realise cost savings.
“The collaboration between RCCTO and SSP enables the Services to stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a decisive advantage on the battlefield.”
With the possibility of a massive increase in German defence spending on the horizon, Shephard analyses what such a boost could mean for the Bundeswehr’s procurement of new armoured vehicles.
A Pioneering Laser Powerhouse, RAFAEL transforms laser technology into proven operational defense capabilities.
Composite rubber tracks (CRTs) have substantial benefits over conventional steel tracks including reduced damage when travelling on roads and reduced vibration, noise, thermal signature, weight and fuel consumption.
The contract will be used to produce 1,970 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors and hardware.
A surge in budgeted and planned defence spending across European NATO countries in the past year has come in the face of the war in Ukraine and demands from the Trump administration that the countries take on more of the load. This is likely to be reflected in what can be expected from DSEI.
The new power pack from Germany’s Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) is about 300kg lighter than the original system, consists of a more modern eight-cylinder diesel developing up to 1,080hp. It is being shown for the first time at DSEI.