Every few months or more I like to take a look into the arms industry and see what is going on. I have been surprised in the past with some of the new technology being used it both deterrence and offensive devices. We just seem to be creating more and more futuristic type weapons. It is amazing how many of these things seem to come from ideas that were first purposed around World War II by the Germans. Some weapons systems were updated and even new devices were being developed merely from using money that was allocated for projects that had been cancelled. An example of this is the money that was allocated for the RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. The helicopter funding was stopped and the money left with the DoD (Department of Defense). With these funds they were able to start a new helicopter development program. We are now developing new attack, reconnaissance and light helicopters.

Composites are routinely used in aircraft today. Many planes use this material because it is lighter than metal and said to be stronger. When we hear of it's use, it is usually on a fixed wing craft, but the Sea King HAS.5 helicopter from Britain is using a composite rotor blade known as the Carson Composite rotor blade. The Sea King is the bird that is used to deliver commandoes, so stealth and quietness are very important. The composite material will have to be able to withstand terrific forces when used on a blade. Britain has 37 Sea King HC.4s and 6 Sea King HAS.6c helicopters. Some tests were conducted in 2006 but even further enhancements are being made which include a composite 5 blade tail rotor.

Recently there has been a rumor going around that the European nations were considering consolidating the ship building bases for war ships. This is being denied and the Europeans are going so far as to say that this is not even being considered for the future. A new grenade launcher has been developed by a South African company known as Ripple Effect. They claim that this 40 mm grenade launcher known as the XRGL40, will have an extended range over all other grenade launchers.

The U.S. is considering accelerating a program that is already functioning. The program is called the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle or JLTV program. The vehicles we use now, like the Humvee, don't seem to be survivable enough. Maybe this comment isn't fair, because they were only meant to replace the jeep, not to act as armored cars. At any rate, if the program for the JLTV is accelerated, then we can look for a new vehicle being developed by the beginning of the next decade, according to the military. I wonder what ever happened to the electronic armor that the British developed?

The British have decided to equip their Harrier GR.7/9 ground attack aircraft with the Lockheed Martin An/AAQ-33 sniper advanced targeting pod. They believe that this pod with be of great help to them in Afghanistan. The Mod (Ministry of Defense) stated that they hope that these pods will be in use by the middle of the year. Another news item from Britain states that the British have developed a superior radar. It is a type that uses a solid state transceiver along with pulse Doppler. The processing techniques are known as SharpEye. This is an important development for radar since this system is said to be far more sensitive and doesn't use the time honored magnetron.

The Harpoon Missile, A Cruise Missile
Photo Source: U.S. Navy

Russia and India have joined forces to develop a modern cruise missile for sale across the world. The company is called BrahMos Aerospace. The missile is being used by the Indian army and soon by their navy. I can't help but be displeased by this type of thing. I know that we also sell arms to everyone as does almost every country. Reading these things makes me feel that countries are almost being pushed into wars, so that more munitions can be sold. Wouldn't it be nice if instead of missiles, the two countries decided to develop appliances to be sold?

BAE Systems has just completed the first of two scheduled tests of it's new 8X8 armored fighting vehicles. The vehicles are expected to be used by the British Army's Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). The FRES project has been criticized by the House of Commons. They state that the project has had delays and specifications have been changed too many times. Another new British vehicle is about to enter service, it is the Pinzaqauer Vector 6X6. It is known as a protected patrol vehicle (PPV). This vehicle is a supplemental vehicle to the Snatch Land Rover 4X4 and will also serve alongside heavier vehicles.

It is being rumored that the U.K. is about to dump KBR which is a partner in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA). What makes this interesting to us is the fact that this company is a subsidiary to the famous Halliburton company that is always in the news. It is said that this is being done even above the objections of some of the other companies. Speaking about the U.S., there has been a great increase in the range and scope of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.