TOP 10 FUTURE WEAPONS OF BRITAIN

[DrSomnath999]

Sting Ray Torpedo

Sting Ray is a lightweight torpedo for carriage by aircraft (fixed-wing or rotary) and surface ships for use against submarine targets. It is electrically propelled and powered by a sea water battery which combines low-noise and manoeuvrability with a high speed and deep-diving capability. It is an autonomous weapon which, having received initial, pre-launch, environmental and target information from its launch platform, uses its active sonar and tactical software to search for, localise and prosecute its submarine target. Its tactical software provides the tactical algorithms needed to deal with complex countermeasure scenarios.

Sting Ray has a diameter of 12.75 inches and a length of around 8.5 feet. Sting Ray Mod 1 will share the same hull components as Sting Ray Mod 0 with both having a shaped-charge warhead.

Sting Ray Mod 1 is intended to prosecute the same threats as Sting Ray Mod 0 but with an enhanced capability against small clad conventional submarines and an improved shallow-water performance

 

[DrSomnath999]

A400M
A400M is an extremely flexible aircraft that will provide both Tactical and Strategic Airlift Capability to all three Services in peace, crisis and war.

Specifications
Engines: Four EPI TP400-D6 turboprops
Thrust: 11,000shp each
Max speed: 0.72Mach
Length: 43.8mMax
altitude: 37,000ft
Span: 42.4m
Aircrew: 4
'The mainstay of the RAF’S tactical and strategic airlift are the C-130 Hercules and C-17 aircraft. A total of 25 C-130K aircraft have been replaced by the C-130J and future plans include the replacement of the remainder of the fleet by 25 A400M outsize strategic –airlift aircraft in 2011. The A400M, which is a collaborative venture involving the governments and industries of six European countries, will support the deployment of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and will give the RAF a tactical and strategic-airlift aircraft capable of supporting all three services. The aircraft will be capable of carrying a load of 32 tonnes over a range of 2300nmls at speeds comparable with pure-jet military transports; furthermore, the range of the aircraft can be extended by the use of a removable, air refuelling probe mounted above the cockpit. The aircraft will be capable of operating either at low-level (down to 150ft agl) or at high-level altitudes to 37,000ft, and it will be able to deploy troops and/or equipment between and within theatres of operation either by parachute (up to 108 paratroopers), or by landing on short, unprepared or semi-prepared strips. The aircraft will also offer significant improvements in reliability, maintenance and operating costs over the C-130K and J fleet.The two-pilot flight deck crew will have the benefit of an integrated, digital avionics system in the cockpit and a fly-by-wire control system. Additional systems will provide a night-vision-compatible glass cockpit complete with two head-up displays supported by at least five multi-function displays that will allow state-of-the-art avionics developments to be incorporated to the flight-deck design, so greatly reducing crew workload. The aircraft will be driven by four Europrop International (EPI) turboprop engines, which will be the most powerful turboprops developed to date in the western world, they will be lighter, easy to maintain and will consume 20% less fuel per mission relative to a similar turbofan engine. A modern Defensive Aids Suite will be fitted, incorporating radio and infra-red frequency detectors, electronic-countermeasure equipment and chaff/flare dispensers. The cargo bay of the A400M will be controlled by one air loadmaster and can be configured for a number of roles: pure troop carrying, or a mixture of troops and support equipment; palletised cargo or military wheeled and tracked vehicles; two attack helicopters such as the Apache or Puma; or a mixture of light and heavy engineering equipment. Offloading equipment or stores after landing can be achieved using conventional ground equipment, the aircraft’s internal load-roller system, by airborne parachute or by gravity extraction from the aircraft’s rear ramp. In addition to it’s tactical capability A400M will complement the C-17 in providing the UK with a strategic airlift capability when and where it is required.

 

[DrSomnath999]

Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
The MoD has selected AirTanker, following an open competition, to provide the replacement air-to-air refuelling and air transport capability.

Specifications
Engines: 2Thrust: 72,000lbs each
Max speed: 648kph
Length: 193ft

Span: 198ft
Aircrew: 3
'
The MoD has selected AirTanker, following an open competition, to provide the replacement air-to-air refuelling and air transport capability through the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme. A Private Finance Initiative (PFI) solution is being adopted, in which the private sector will provide not only replacement aircraft, but also a complete and secure long-term service. AirTanker provide a comprehensive service for the RAF to ensure the full operational availability of the fleet over a 27 year period. AirTanker will provide the Airbus A330 aircraft as 2-point tankers, equipped with 2 FRL Mk32B 900E pods. A number of the aircraft in the fleet will also be capable of being fitted as 3-point tankers. Very few internal changes are required to the A330-200 to modify it for the air-to-air refuelling role. In particular no additional fuel tanks are required. As the A330 shares the same wing as the four-engined A340, there is a pre-strengthened location available for mounting the wing Mk32B pods.

The full passenger and cargo capability can be used while the A330-200 is configured for AAR operations. The cabin remains fully configured and the cargo compartments are unobstructed. On a typical deployment across the Atlantic, a single A330 would be able to refuel 4 Tornados and still carry 11,000lb (5000kg) of freight/passengers.One novel aspect of the contract is the facility to lease the aircraft for civil operations. The considerable commercial demand for the A330 makes it attractive to third-parties who would operate those aircraft from the fleet thast are not immediately required for RAF use. This would deliver a major cost saving to the MoD and taxpayer and ensures that the considerable capability advantages of the A330 are affordable.The A330 will replace the RAF's existing VC10 and Tristar fleets at RAF Brize Norton.

 

[DrSomnath999]

Paveway IV

This advanced and highly accurate weapon provides the RAF’s strike fleet with a state-of-the-art precision guided bomb. It is replacing the existing Paveway II and Enhanced Paveway II weapons and 505kg unguided general purpose bombs. Equipped with the latest Global Positioning Guidance technology, Paveway IV is a low-cost, all-weather, 24-hour precision bombing capability able to defeat the majority of general-purpose targets.

Paveway IV significantly minimizes collateral damage through one of the world’s most advanced fuses fitted with a ‘Late-Arm’ safety device that will not allow an off-course munition to arm. It is also fitted with a warhead designed to meet the latest requirements of NATO Insensitive Munition safety policy.

The increased accuracy of the system allows for a warhead half the size (225kg) of conventional Paveway II bombs. Paveway IV’s lighter weight provides greater flexibility given the potential for a single aircraft to carry more of the weapons and so strike more targets in a single pass. The weapons can be reprogrammed with target data by the aircrew while airborne.

Other improvements over older weapons include less drag, greater accuracy, higher resistance to jamming, better supportability, zero maintenance, lower cost and a significant improvement in safety through the use of safer explosive compounds. The first platforms to receive the weapon were the Tornado GR4 and Typhoon F2. Paveway IV is also a candidate weapon for JCA. Warhead trials and tests using an Environmental Test Vehicle variant were under way during 2005.

 

[DrSomnath999]

ALARM

The Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ALARM) is designed to destroy or suppress the use of enemy ground-based air-defence radar systems.

The BAE Systems weapon was selected ahead of the US High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) following a two-way contest for the MoD order during the 1980s.

It first saw service during the Gulf War of 1991 and has been in the weapon inventory of the Tornado ground attack aircraft ever since, including the latest GR4 model.

Combinations of between two and seven missiles can be carried on each aircraft. Since its original entry into service, radars have become increasingly more sophisticated in their ability to avoid detection and attack by anti-radiation weapons such as ALARM; consequently, the missile has been upgraded and the improved capability ALARM has entered service with the RAF's Tornado squadrons.

The ALARM operates by homing onto the radar energy being emitted by the target radar in several ways. If the target is active and emitting radiation when the missile is launched, the ALARM will fly direct to the target. If the targeted radar is quiet when the missile is launched, the ALARM will fly to a pre-set point above the target and loiter under a parachute in the area until the radar switches on. It will then eject the parachute and home onto the target. In Area Suppression mode the missile can be fired in the direction of radars whose positions are unknown and it will engage the highest priority target for attack. In Direct mode the missile is pre-programmed with threat radars and executes a box-search for them after launch, homing onto the highest priority target.

The missile can be pre-loaded with a prioritised file of hostile radars, for which it will search after launch.

Some Tornado F3s were modified to carry ALARMs for operations over Iraq during 2003.

Brimstone

This advanced radar-guided weapon is derived from the US Army Hellfire AGM-114F missile and is deployed in RAF service on a pylon-mounted launching rack that contains three missiles.

It is powered by a rocket motor and can seek and destroy targets at long range.

Ground acquisition and target recognition are achieved by a millimetric wave radar seeker. The weapon locks onto a target after launch and is designed for the attack and destruction of armoured targets. Steerable fins guide the missile towards the target with final impact causing a tandem charge warhead to detonate. The first, smaller warhead nullifies reactive armour, allowing the follow-through charge to penetrate the main armour. It is designed to be carried by the Tornado GR4 and Typhoon F2. The weapon can be used in Indirect and Direct modes. For Indirect attack weapons are launched when the targets and their position are not visible to the attacking aircraft. In Direct mode the pilot can use an onboard sighting system to select the target, which can lie off the aircraft's track, so that pilots do not need to manoeuvre to release weapons. The weapon flies at low level, using its onboard navigation systems to head for the target and searching, using its radar, to distinguish between valid and non-valid targets. Brimstone can be programmed to start searching only in target areas, limiting risks to friendly forces.

MOD wanted a weapon that could operate in all weathers, day and night, be effective against the future predicted Explosive Reactive Armour arrays and be a genuine ‘fire-and-forget’ weapon.

After a strong competition between four rival projects, a contract was let with MBDA in 1996. Total expected cost of introducing the weapon into service is about £850 million.

The weapon went into service on the Tornado GR4 in 2005. Work continues to ensure the weapon reaches its full potential.
Specification

Length: 1.8 m
Diameter: 17.8 cm
Weight: 48.5 kg
Range: 20+ km
Speed: Supersonic
Control: Aerodynamic surfaces on missile
Propulsion: Solid-rocket
Guidance: 94 GHz Millimetric wave radar (MMW) & digital autopilot
Warhead: HEAT tandem warhead - initial charge triggers reactive armour followed by the main high explosive anti-tank shaped charge jet
Fuze: Crush fuze (detonation on impact)

 

[RockyX]

Good thread Somnath.

 

[DrSomnath999]

Merlin HC3

An all weather, day and night, multi-role helicopter used in both tactical and strategic operational roles.
Specifications
Engines: Three Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM 322 turbines
Thrust: 2263shp each
Max speed: 167kts
Length: 22.8m
Max altitude: 15,000ft
Span: 18.6m
Aircrew: 4




The Merlin (Bird of prey) HC3 and HC3a are operated by No 28 (AC) Squadron and 78 Squadron at RAF Benson. 78 Squadron was re-formed on 3 Dec 07 to allow for the increase in aircraft after the purchase of the 6 Danish Merlin HC3a earlier in 2007. The Merlin is the first of a new generation of advanced, medium support helicopters for the RAF. It is an all weather, day and night, multi-role helicopter used in both tactical and strategic operational roles. The aircraft carries an impressive defensive-aids suite, which includes a Radar and Laser Warning Receiver, Missile Approach Warners and Directional Infrared Countermeasures equipment, all integrated with an automatic chaff and flare dispensing system. This is one of the most comprehensive defensive aids suites fitted to any helicopter in the world.To ensure accurate navigation anywhere on the globe, the aircraft’s management computers take data from its laser-gyro, inertial-navigation platform and its doppler system and from air data sources, and combine the information with precise position data received from Global Positioning System satellites.Navigation at night is enhanced by the crew’s use of display night-vision goggles and by the aircraft’s multi-function turret, which can be fitted with forward- looking infrared radar. To increase the aircraft’s range, the Merlin can be equipped with extended range fuel tanks and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, although this option is not currently used by the RAF. It is also fitted with an active vibration-damping system, which reduces the level of noise and vibration inside the cabin to a level no greater than that of a turboprop aircraft. As a result, crew fatigue is much reduced during long transits and airframe life is increased.The Merlin is able to carry a diverse range of bulky cargo, either internally or under-slung. Cargo can include artillery, Land Rovers or light-strike vehicles and over five tonnes of freight. The spacious cabin can also accommodate up to 24 fully equipped combat troops and, when required, will convert to carry 16 stretchers for casualty evacuation or during humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Designed to operate away from base workshops and in difficult terrain, the Merlin has state-of-the-art support technology and incorporates aircraft health-and-usage diagnostics and a self-test capability for ease of maintenance.The Merlin is armed with two general purpose machine guns converted for the air role, although there is provision for additional weaponry to be fitted at a later date.

 

[DrSomnath999]

THE WORLD'S BEST CAMOUFLAGE SYSTEM

State-of-the-art technology
Unlike traditional camouflage systems which rely on paint or nets to hide vehicles, ADAPTIV can instantly blend a vehicle into its background. The system can also be used on ships and fixed installations, allowing them to stay undetected by enemy surveillance units.

With the ADAPTIV system installed, a unit has:

The ability to blend into natural surroundings
The ability to mimic natural objects and other vehicles
A significantly reduced detection range
IFF capability


Blend into the background
ADAPTIV works by using lightweight hexagonal pixels which are electrically powered by the vehicles systems. The pixels are individually heated and cooled using commercially available semi-conducting technology. The hand-sized pixels are made of metal, so that they can sustain physical impact and provide defence against enemy ordnance. The entire system has been designed with ease of use in mind, and the pixels are able to be easily and rapidly removed and replaced if damaged.

Once mounted on a vehicles hull or ballistic armour plates, ADAPTIV renders a vehicle invisible to infra-red and other surveillance technology.

Whether it is day or night, whether they are on the move or stationary, ADAPTIV gives your vehicles increased stealth - and greater survivability.

THIS WOULD REALLY BRING A REVOLUTION IN FUTURE WARFARE

 

[Jango]

Apache, Type 45, E-3, Merlin, Typhoons and Challenger are not really future weapons, rather the present.

 

[Whazzup]

Nice thread Dentist bhai
Is there a thread on India too.

I think BAe is the worlds most professional company when it comes to defence related products(is it acquired by US ??)

 

[Whazzup]

Airbus A330 MRTT

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330-200. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force
The A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the Airbus A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems.

Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft.
Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft.
Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft
Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle System Installation (UARRSI) for self-refuelling.
The A330 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb). Standard fuel capacity allows the carriage of an additional 45,000 kg of cargo. The A330 MRTT's wing has common structure with the four-engine A340-200/-300 with reinforced mounting locations and provision for fuel piping for the A340's outboard engines. The A330 MRTT's wing therefore requires little modification for use of these hardpoints for the wing refuelling pods.

The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets. military, ISO and NATO pallets (including seats) and containers, and military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door. Like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments (forward and aft) and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to 8 military pallets in addition to civilian ULD.