A109M Light, Twin-Engine Multipurpose Helicopter, Italy

Key Data
Crew
1 or 2
Maximum Total Seats
8
Overall Length With Rotor Turning
13.04m (42.78ft)
Overall Length With Rotor Stationary
11.11m (36.46ft)
Maximum Height
3.50m (11.48ft)
Maximum Cabin Width
1.59m (5.22ft)
Main Rotor Diameter
11.00m (36.09ft)
Full specifications


The A109M light, twin-engine multipurpose helicopter has been developed by AgustaWestland in Italy. The A109M is a military version of the A109 Power family of civil helicopters, which are available in VIP/corporate, EMS emergency services and law enforcement versions. Around 300 A109 Power helicopters have been ordered since the model's entry into service in 1996.
"The A109M is a military version of the A109 Power family of civil helicopters, which are available in many versions."

The A109M features high engine power with FADEC (Full Authority Electronic Control) management, composite rotor head and blades, advanced avionics and cockpit integration. The helicopter is operated by a crew of one or two. The cabin can be fitted with a single or two stretcher installation for casualty evacuation. The maximum number of seats on board is eight.

The A109 was originally developed as an ambulance and rescue helicopter to operate in the mountainous regions of Switzerland. The helicopter can fly from critically situated landing spots in adverse climates and from roof helipads in densely populated areas.

The A109M can carry out various missions and operations in hot temperatures and high altitudes.

Missions include observation and reconnaissance, armed escort, search and rescue, troop / cargo transport, casualty evacuation, liaison and training.

In 1999, 30 (plus ten options) A109 LUH (light utility helicopter) were ordered for the South African Air Force. Thales Aerospace is supplying the avionics. The first four were delivered in October 2005. 20 A109M, designated Hkp 15, were ordered by Sweden in June 2001. The first two were delivered in February 2006. 12 Hkp 15A will be used by the Army and 8 Hkp 15B by the Swedish Navy.

Denel is building the airframes as part of a license production agreement with AgustaWestland. Eight A109 Powers have been delivered for the US Coastguard's HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron) programme. The helicopters are designated MH-68A.

In October 2003, 11 A109 LOH were ordered by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence for observation, reconnaissance and tactical transport. The first made its maiden flight in June 2005 and was delivered in December 2005. The first three helicopters entered service with the Malaysian Army in February 2006 and deliveries concluded in September 2006.

In March 2006, three A109 Power helicopters entered service with the UK Royal Air Force, where they are being used for VIP transport and communications.

In February 2007, the Royal Australian Navy announced its intention to lease three A109 helicopters for training purposes. The helicopters are being leased from Raytheon Australia. Two are being supplied by AgustaWestland Italy and one from a civil operator in France.

In May 2008, New Zealand placed an order for five A109LUH for its training light utility helicopter requirement. The helicopters, to enter service in 2011, will be used for training NH90 and SH-2G Seasprite helicopter pilots and operational support for government agencies including police and customs.

The A109 is also in service with the Argentine Army (five), Belgian Air Force (32), Italian Army (25), Nigerian Air Force (seven) and the Venezuelan Army (seven).
A109M multipurpose helicopter design

The helicopter airframe consists of a lightweight aluminium alloy and honeycomb structure with high crashworthiness. Two large sliding doors provide easy access and cargo operation and are in-flight operable. There are two separate pilot's doors. Maintenance steps and hinged inspection panels are provided for quick maintenance. The long tailboom configuration provides high yaw control for operation in strong winds.
"The A109M helicopter airframe consists of a lightweight aluminium alloy and honeycomb structure."

The tricycle-type wheeled landing gear is fitted with air and oil shock absorbers for ground mobility and operation on rough terrain. Energy absorbing struts provide increased crashworthiness. A swivelling forward wheel gives easy ground manoeuvrability.

The four-bladed, fully articulated main rotor has low vibration, low flicker and reduced noise level characteristics. The composite main rotor blades are ballistic tolerant for high survivability and reliability. The rotor is negative-g capable for high manoeuvrability. The tail rotor is a two-bladed stainless steel semi-rigid type.
Helicopter cockpit design

The cockpit has an ergonomic instrument panel with provision for role and mission dedicated display and control instrumentation. The cockpit can be night vision goggle compatible. The pilot has a suite of vision equipment comprising a roof mounted gyrostabilised sight, forward looking infrared and television sensors and night vision goggles.

An optional Cockpit Management System (CMS) is provided for monitoring and operating different avionics, via one or more centrally located control and display units. The information is organised in logical steps to allow the pilot to concentrate on his main mission. The CMS reduces the weight of the avionics payload and has capacity for additional or alternative avionic systems.

The avionics suite includes an automatic direction finding navigation aid (ADF), istance measuring equipment (DME), a global positioning system (GPS), identification friend or foe (IFF), a radar altimeter, an emergency locator transponder (ELT), a VHF omnidirectional radio ranger (VOR), ground speed meter and inertial location system.

The flight control system includes a collective, cyclic and anti-torque system. The cyclic and collective controls are powered by two hydraulic systems. The anti-torque control system is hydraulically powered. A dual redundant three-axis stability augmentation system is fitted as an option.
A109M weapons
"The transmission system is rated at 900hp for improved high-temperature and high-altitude performance."

The Al09M's low vibration and high stability characteristics provide an platform for target detection and target tracking which maximises the effectiveness of the airborne antitank system. The helicopter can be fitted with the Helitow anti-tank missile system which has two TOW missile launchers with two or four missiles each launcher.

The Systems & Electronics (formerly ESCO) Helitow anti-tank missile system can acquire, track and defeat stationary or moving armoured targets during day and night.

The installation of the Helitow system rapidly converts the utility helicopter to anti-armour mission configuration. The launchers can carry TOW, ITOW, TOW2 and TOW2A missiles.

The helicopter can carry externally: 2.75in or 81mm rocket pods with seven or 12 tubes; a rocket machine gun pod (RMP) with three 70mm rockets and a 12.7mm machine gun with 200 rounds; machine gun pods with a 12.7mm machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition.

The internal armament of the helicopter comprises a pintle mounted 7.62mm machine gun and a door gunner post for a 12.7mm general purpose machine gun.
Countermeasures

The A109M helicopter can be equipped with a radar warning receiver, laser warner, infrared jamming system and chaff and flare dispenser.
FADEC engines

The helicopter is equipped with two side-by-side Pratt & Whitney PW-206C or Turbomeca Arrius 2K1 engines with full authority digital electronic control (FADEC). Each engine is equipped with independent fuel and oil systems and independent engine controls.

The transmission system is rated at 900hp for improved high-temperature and high-altitude performance.
"In March 2006, three A109 Power helicopters entered service with the UK RAF."

For enhanced safety and reliability the helicopter has a 640hp single engine emergency rating and the dry run capability is 30 minutes, allowing the pilot the opportunity to retreat to land in a place of safety in the event of oil loss.

There are three fuel systems configurations: three cells of 160 USgal (605l), four cells of 188 USgal (710l) and five cells of 230 USgal (870l). A crashworthy fuel system with closed circuit refuelling and self-sealing fuel tanks is optional.
Flight control hydraulic systems

The helicopter is fitted with two independent flight control hydraulic systems each capable of operating main actuators in case of failure of the other system. The utility hydraulic system has two accumulators (a normal and an emergency accumulator) to operate the rotor brake, the wheel brakes and the nose wheel centring device.
AC and DC electrical systems

Two fully independent AC and DC electrical systems are each capable of supplying all essential loads in case of failure the other system. The electrical system comprises two 160 amp 28V DC self cooled starter generators and 27 Ah 24V nickel-cadmium batteries. An optional AC system comprises two 250VA, 115/26V AC, 400Hz static inverters.
Armament and equipment options

A wide range of armament and utility equipment is available for multiple armed and utility missions including: a bleed air heater and environmental control unit, an external 1,000kg cargo hook, a 200kg or 270kg rescue hoist, snow skis, slump protection pads, emergency floats, an oxygen system, engine air particle separator and an engine fire extinguisher.
A109M survivability systems

For increased survivability the helicopter has armoured seats and all critical systems are duplicated and separated. Infrared absorbing paint is used to minimise the helicopter's vulnerability to detection by thermal sensors. The helicopter has a small silhouette, which gives a low visual and radar signature. A wire cutter is installed on the roof of the cockpit just above the windshield and in front of the vision pod.

CV-S Tracked Armoured Combat Vehicle (Stretched), Turkey

Dimensions
Length
6.380m
Height
2.946m
Height to Roof of Hull
2.01m
Ground Clearance
0.43m
Maximum Combat Weight
20t
Type
Detroit Diesel 6V-53T 350hp or optional 400hp
Fuel Capacity
501l
Full specifications

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS, based in Ankara, Turkey, has completed the development of a new tracked armoured combat vehicle, Armoured Combat Vehicle – Stretched (ACV-S), under a private venture funding programme.

ACV-S was previously called ACV New Generation (ACV-NG). FNSS is jointly owned by BAE Systems Land and Armaments (formerly United Defense) of the USA and the Nurol Group of Turkey.
"ACV-S is a stretched version of the FNSS ACV which is in service with the Turkish Forces."

ACV-S is a stretched version of the FNSS ACV which is in service with the Turkish Land Forces, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia and has been ordered by Jordan.

The ACV has been deployed in Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo with Turkish Land Forces in support of UN peacekeeping operations. Over 2,500 ACV vehicles have been ordered.

ACV-S features an extra roadwheel one each side, which provides a longer and wider hull that allows the mounting of a two-man turret and also provides increased armour protection, mobility and payload capability.

The first two prototype vehicles were completed in 1998 and 2000. The vehicle is suitable for fast deployment by rapid reaction forces, requires no special permit for road transportation and is air transportable on a C-130 Hercules, C-141, C-17 and C-5 transport aircraft. The vehicle also provides amphibious operation, a high horsepower to weight ratio, high road speed and with the overall mobility to match modern main battle tanks.

In August 2007, Malaysia placed an order with DEFTECH of Malaysia, for eight 120mm self-propelled mortar systems based on the FNSS armoured combat vehicle – stretched (ACV-S).

The design of the vehicle is a derivative of the ACV-300 vehicle which itself was derived from one of the world's most widely deployed combat vehicles, the USA M113. The ACV-S has high commonality of components with the ACV-300 and the M113, which gives the advantage of reduced logistic requirements in spares inventories, training, reliability and maintainability.

In September 2005, FNSS signed an agreement with Oerlikon Contraves of Switzerland to cooperate on a programme for mounting the Oerlikon Skyranger Air Defence 35mm gun turret on the ACV-S or the FNSS Pars 8x8 wheeled chassis.
ACV-S HULL

The hull is wider and longer than the current ACV. The ACV-S provides more than 25% more accommodation under armour and a 70% greater payload capability compare to the M113 vehicle.

A power-operated ramp at the rear of the vehicle is used for fast exit and entry of troops and the ramp is also fitted with a door. Bench-type crew seats along the centre of the troop compartment face outwards and firing ports and vision blocks are located on each side of the compartment.
"The ACV-S tracked armoured combat vehicle is suitable for fast deployment by rapid reaction forces."

The crew and engine compartments are fitted with a fire detection and suppression system. The vehicle is air-conditioned for operation in extreme conditions and equipped with a face mask or overpressure nuclear, biological and chemical warfare protection system.

The driver's station is at the front left of the vehicle and the engine is installed at the front right hand side. The driver uses four day periscopes. The forward periscope is replaced by a passive optical periscope for night-time manoeuvres.
SELF-PROTECTION

The armour gives protection against 14.5mm armour-piercing rounds. Optional add-on armour kits and internal spall liners provide protection against 30mm ballistic rounds and rocket-propelled grenades such the RPG-7 armed with High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds.

For protection against mines the vehicle is fitted with a floor spall liner and 18mm armour plate in the floor. The vehicle is fitted with collapsible shock absorbing seats. The sponsons have additional armour which provides increased protection to the driver.
ACV-S TURRET

There are several roof hatch and turret options available which conform to the vehicle's maximum combat weight of 20t. The options include: one man and two men turrets with 25mm and 30mm cannon, a Stinger Air Defence Turret, TOW missile launcher turret, Ground Launched Hellfire turret, 90mm direct fire weapon, and a 150mm breech and muzzle loading mortar.

The ACV-S vehicle can be fitted with a one-man Sharpshooter turret developed by FNSS and United Defense (now BAE Systems Land and Armaments). This is a variant of the two-person Bradley infantry fighting vehicle turret designed by United Defense. The turret is fitted with an ATK Gun Company 25mm M242 cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. A prototype vehicle has also been built with a Thales AFV Systems SWARM turret, with an ATK Gun Systems Company 12.7mm gun.

The ACV-S Eryx Squad Vehicle carries a fully equipped squad of soldiers and is armed with the Eryx anti-armour-missile system.

The ACV-S has also been fitted with the turret of a BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle, produced by Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) of Tula, Russia. The system is called ACV-SW. The BMP-3 turret is armed with a 100mm 2A70 semi-automatic rifled gun/missile launcher, which can fire either HE-FRAG (High Explosive-Fragmentation) rounds or the 9M117 laser beamriding anti-tank missile.
TURBO-CHARGED ENGINE

The ACV-S is equipped with a Detroit Diesel 6V-53T turbo-charged diesel engine, rated at 350hp, and an Allison X-200 series automatic transmission system. The vehicle accelerates from 0km/h to 30km/h in 7.5 seconds and the maximum speed on a metalled road is 75km/h.

Alternative engine options to meet the customer country's logistical requirements include the Detroit Diesel 6V-53TIA, rated at 400hp, which is fitted with built-in diagnostics, and an MTU diesel engine with a ZF automatic transmission.
"The ACV-S is equipped with a Detroit Diesel 6V-53T turbo-charged diesel engine."

The vehicle is fitted with an upgraded suspension system with improved final drives. Each side of the suspension system comprises six roadwheels with a front drive sprocket and a rear idler but no track return roller. The roadwheel travel is over 380mm which gives improved mobility across rough terrain. The upper part of the suspension is covered by a protective skirt.
ACV-S VARIANTS

The armoured combat vehicle – stretched, currently developed as an infantry fighting vehicle, can be configured in a number of variants including a command post, forward observation, artillery rocket vehicle, engineer vehicle with a dozer blade, recovery vehicle with a winch and stabiliser blades, ambulance, air defence vehicle and reconnaissance vehicle. The installed systems can be integrated with a military standard data bus.

RG33 Mine-Resistant Ambush Vehicle (MRAP), USA

Key Data
Personnel Capacity
RG33 series 4×4: 8
RG33 series 6×6: 14
Length
RG33 series 4×4: 265in
RG33 series 6×6: 338in
Width
96in
Height
136in (reducible for transport)
Gross vehicle weight
RG33 series 4×4: 38,000lb
RG33 series 6×6: 58,000lb
Payload
RG33 series 4×4: 8,300lb
RG33 series 6×6: 19,300lb
Maximum Speed
RG33 series 4×4: 68mph
RG33 series 6×6: 67mph
Full specifications


The RG33 is a family of mine-protected vehicles manufactured by BAE Systems. The RG33 4×4 and 6×6 are in production in the United States for the US Marine Corps mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle programme. BAE Systems manufactures three of the US Marine Corps' five variants of MRAP vehicles: the Caiman, the RG31 and the RG33.

The RG33 is manufactured in several configurations including the category I 4×4, category II 6×6, the heavy armored ground ambulance (HAGA) and the special operations command (SOCOM) vehicle. The RG33 series is in the medium weight class, providing survivability, advanced mobility, mission flexibility, rapid availability and vehicle commonality.

The initial contract for the USMC was placed in January 2007 for two 4×4 and two 6×6 RG33 vehicles. In February 2007, the USMC ordered 15 RG33 category I 4×4 and 75 category II MRAP vehicles.
"The RG33 is a family of mine-protected ambush vehicles manufactured by BAE Systems."

In June 2007, BAE Systems was awarded a contract for 425 category I and 16 category II. In October 2007, the USMC ordered 399 category II MRAP, 112 category II ambulances and 89 SOCOM vehicles.

In August 2008, the US Marine Corps placed a $43.5m contract on BAE Systems for 40 RG33 MRAP vehicles: 36 special operations command variants, two RG33 MRAP category II 6×6 variants, and two category II HAGAs. In June 2008, BAE Systems was awarded a $53m contract for 40 SOCOM MRAP vehicles.

By November 2008, BAE Systems had completed 2,182 RG33 vehicles for the US Army and Marine Corps.

The RG33 vehicle hull production is being carried out at BAE Systems' York, Pennsylvania, facility and final assembly, integration, and test is carried out at the Letterkenny Army Depot (LEAD) in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Survivability

RG33 series vehicles provide survivability against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), medium machine gun or small arms fire and mine blast protection at a level equal to or exceeding currently fielded mine-protected vehicles. The vehicle incorporates a monocoque V-shaped hull incorporating design features based on leveraging knowledge gained in recent and ongoing conflicts.

The crew and passenger survivability features include blast-resistant seats, transparent armour and protected interior stations. The vehicles can be equipped with additional armour packages.

Mobility

The RG33 series provides a large volume under armour to provide maximum troop-carrying capacity and to give troops the optimum manoeuvrability on the battlefield.
"The RG33 is manufactured in several configurations including the category I 4×4 and category II 6×6."

The platform's advanced power train enables the vehicle to safely operate on any terrain and also to maintain pace with other high-speed combat vehicles. They have the speed and manoeuvrability to keep pace with the Stryker brigade combat team.

The power train is of sufficient capacity to allow upgrades and enhancements.

Both 4×4 and 6×6 vehicles are transportable by land, rail, sea and air.

Mission flexibility

The RG33 series provides flexibility by being configurable for missions such as infantry carrier, ambulance, command and control, convoy escort, explosive ordnance disposal and other roles and is recoverable by another RG33. The vehicle features on-board exportable power for a range of mission equipment such as command, control, communications, computers and information (C4I).

Commonality

The RG33 series of vehicles (4×4 and 6×6) have a commonality of parts of more than 90%, which provides saving in acquisition costs, operations, maintenance and program management.

RG33 6×6 mine-protected vehicle

The RG33 6×6 is a proven, survivable, blast-protected vehicle that can operate in explosive hazardous environments, carrying out missions such as route and area clearance, explosive hazards reconnaissance and explosive ordnance disposal operations. Troop-friendly features include large ballistic windows, a rear ramp for rapid entry and exit of the crew and robotic systems. A common weapon ring may be mounted to the rooftop for integration of a wide variety of weapon systems, to include the army's gunner protection kit.

The modular RG33 6×6 vehicle is mission adaptable, with roles including infantry carrier, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), convoy protection, weapons carrier, utility, command and control, communications shelter and ambulance.

Optional equipment for the RG33 6×6 includes add-on armour, hydraulic rear ramp, medical equipment, explosives ordnance disposal arm, 6kW auxiliary power unit, 120/240 AC import / export power, secondary battery suite, thermal driver's vision enhancer, tail-light camera, central tire inflation system, transparent armour gun shield and a remote weapons station.

RG33 4 × 4 mine-protected vehicle

The RG33 4×4 mine protected vehicle transports up to eight personnel with the same troop-friendly features as the 6×6 version.
"The RG33 series provides a large volume under armour to provide maximum troop-carrying capacity."

A common weapon ring is mounted to the rooftop for integration of a wide variety of weapon systems, including the army's gunner protection kit, or remote weapon systems.

The modularity allows the vehicle to be adaptable for multiple missions including reconnaissance, tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided weapon systems (TOW ) / improved target acquisition system (ITAS) / long-range acquisition / surveillance system (LRAS), weapons carrier, utility and convoy protection.

Optional equipment is the same as for the 6×6, with the exception of the ordnance disposal arm.

Mine-resistant recovery and maintenance vehicle (MRRMV)

A new variant of the RG33 is the mine-resistant recovery and maintenance vehicle (MRRMV) for retrieval and repair of disabled mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, medium mine-protected vehicles and other medium tactical vehicles in combat situations.

The MRRMV has a two-man crew and carries equipment and spare parts to conduct on-site vehicle repairs. The vehicle supports field maintenance tasks that require lifting, welding, cutting and heating and has the capacity to carry two recovered crew and combat spares. The MRRMV was first shown at the Association of the US Army's (AUSA) winter symposium in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, in February 2008.

Spider Light Strike Vehicle, Singapore

Key Data
Body
Tubular steel lightweight chassis
Length
4,500mm
Width
2,030mm
Height
1,900mm, fording clearance 600mm
Weight
1,600kg
Engine
2.8l, four-cylinder diesel engine (130hp at 3,800rpm)
Maximum Speed on Road
120-130km/h (on-road), and 80km/h off-road
Full specifications

he changing face of warfare has spawned new requirements for vehicles. While there is still an overwhelming requirement to protect troops from mine and roadside bomb attack using highly armoured patrol vehicles there is also a need for much smaller, lighter, relatively unarmoured vehicles to transport small bodies of men over short range for strike and reconnaissance missions.
"The light strike vehicle (LSV) was born for fast hit-and-run raids and scouting missions."

The light strike vehicle (LSV) was born for fast hit-and-run raids, scouting missions, special forces support, and low-intensity guerrilla warfare. A number of versions of this 'dune buggy' type of vehicle have been produced, notably the Blackwater light strike vehicle (US) and the Spider light strike vehicle from ST Engineering (ST Kinetics) of Singapore (adopted by the Singaporean armed forces). Other forces using this type of light attack vehicle include US Marines, US Army, Greek forces, Mexican Army, and forces of Oman, Portugal and Spain.

Spider LSV

One of the latest examples of the LSV is the Spider. This vehicle has been designed to be light, fast, powerful and easily transportable by helicopter (six Spiders can fit into one C-130 transport plane). The 4×4 vehicle has tubular space frame chassis allowing a light weight of only 1,600kg and a maximum payload of 1,200kg.

The vehicle is powered by a four-cylinder 2.8l power unit from Peugeot (Euro III emission standard), which can develop 130hp at 3,800rpm and has a maximum torque of 410Nm at 1,800rpm (maximum speed on roads of 130km/h and 80km/h for off-road).

This small vehicle (4,500mm long and 2,030mm wide) carries a crew of three to six men depending upon the armament, and carries a foldable roll cage for protection (1,900mm). The Spider has been equipped with a range of refined technology such as semi-automatic transmission, double wishbone front suspension with a single shock absorber, and trailing-arm rear suspension as well as hydraulic power-assisted steering, all around power-assisted ABS brakes.

In addition the Spider has a range of 700km, can ford water 600mm deep and can handle gradients of around 60° and side slopes of 50°. The vehicle can also be equipped with lightweight capsulised composite armour around the cabin area as a protection suite against 7.62mm small-arms-type fire and grenade fragments (the vehicle can be enclosed and even the windscreen is removable).

The Spider also has the distinction that its rear cabin can be detached and operated by remote control to a range of 500m, allowing it to be sent into situations unmanned if required as a decoy.

Armaments

The Spider can carry a number of armament configurations including various light and heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and cannons, as well as mini UAVs, and sensor and surveillance systems. Some of the more common weapons are the CIS-50 12.7mm heavy machine gun and the Ultimax 100 section automatic weapon. However the vehicle has been designed more specifically to carry the super rapid advanced mortar system (SRAMS). SRAMS is a 120mm smoothbore mortar system (modified to make it lighter and produced by ST Engineering).
"The Spider vehicle has been designed to be light fast, powerful and easily transportable by helicopter."

The Spider system has a three-man crew to operate as an SRAM crew with two personnel riding in the SRAMS-equipped Spider and one in the tandem ammunition support vehicle. The vehicle can only carry six 120mm rounds for the SRAMS so the tandem vehicle provides the ammunition (fire rate of ten rounds a minute with recoil of less than 26t and a blast diffuser).

The SRAMS also has navigation and positioning technology, power gun drives and an integrated automatic fire control system. The Singapore Armed Force (SAF) has already procured 50 Spider SRAM units.

Design refinements

The design of the Spider has also stepped outside conventional thinking by introducing the vehicle with an alternative power source for mobility. It may be fitted with a motor generator (MOGEN), which is a hybrid electric generator and motor unit.

The vehicle can be operated on electrical power to allow it to move in silent stealth mode when undertaking operations on the frontline. This alternative MOGEN unit can also be used to provide back-up power as an auxiliary power source if there is a problem with the engine. Additional refinements for the future could include a retractable wheel system to give the vehicle a lower centre of gravity for better stability and manoeuvrability at high speeds in off-road operations.

Cougar Ridgback 4×4 Armoured Vehicle, United Kingdom

Body
3-door 4×4 and one hatch, internal cabin dimensions behind front seats is 108in
Length
233in
Width
102in
Height
104in-130in
Weight
38,000lb
Ground Clearance
15in-16in
Maximum Speed on Road
55mph on run-flat tyres but top speed should be a little over 65mph on tarmac roads
Full specifications

With UK Forces very much active in Afghanistan and Iraq a new vehicle has been ordered by the UK MoD (Ministry of Defence) to provide protection to troops on patrol from mines and roadside bombs. The vehicle is the Cougar 4×4 produced by Force Protection Industries Incorporated (Ladson, South Carolina) in the US, who were also responsible for the highly successful Mastiff.
"The Ridgback will be produced in four variants for different roles."

By November 2008, the MoD had ordered 400 Cougars (the contract is due for completion by July 2009; a contract valued at around $200m) and these will be modified by the addition armour systems, specialist Nato-spec weapons, communications systems and electronic countermeasures equipment into the 'Ridgback' when they arrive in the UK (the vehicles were ordered as an urgent operational requirement (UOR)).

The first batch of five Cougars was delivered to RAF Brize Norton on 14 August 2008. NP Aerospace in Coventry has the contract (£81m) for carrying out the modifications to the Cougar.

Ridgback weaponry

The Ridgback weapons will include the heavy machine gun, 7.62mm general purpose machine gun, grenade launcher and some will be equipped with remote weapons systems allowing the Ridgback weapons to be operated from inside using a camera and joystick.

Des Browne, the UK Defence Secretary, commented: "I am determined to do all that I can to get more armoured vehicles out to our forces on operations – to give commanders a choice about what vehicles they use. The Mastiffs have saved lives out in theatre and we have ordered the Ridgback because it is a smaller version of the Mastiff – offering our forces first-rate protection with more manoeuvrability."

The Ridgback will be produced in four variants for different roles – a troop carrier, a protected weapons station and an ambulance or command post vehicle.

Performance

The Ridgback will come into service in 2009 in Iraq and Afghanistan (it is fully transportable by C17). The vehicle can carry 12 troops and can run on run flat tyres (Michelin XZL 395/85 R20 and Hutchinson VFI) at a speed of 55mph. The Ridgback is a mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) category I vehicle with a high armour rating (shaped hull and protected cabin using composite armour systems) and will also use special armoured seats to protect troops.

The vehicle will be powered by a Caterpillar C-7 diesel engine that can give 330hp at 2,400rpm and a torque of 860ft lbf at 1,450rpm with an operational range of 420 miles.
"The first batch of five Cougars was delivered to RAF Brize Norton on 14 August 2008."

The transmission for the Cougar / Ridgback is an Allison 3500 SP series and the front and rear axles are Marmon-Herrington MT-17 and R-17 respectively (modified for the harsh terrain). The vehicle weighs around 38,000lb with a payload of 6,000lb and as such uses air brakes for effective stopping.

The standard crew is six, but with the Ridgback there will be several versions. Electrics are standard 24V and there are two air conditioning units (24,000BTU and 48,000BTU) for use in hot climates.

There are three doors (two in front and one rear double-sized crew door) and one topside hatch.

The Cougar's standard dimensions are: height 104in (gun shield will add 26in), width 102in, length 233in, hull internal length 108in, fording depth 39in, ground clearance 15in-16in.

The cabin can be sealed to provide NBC protection and there are various other accessories including four point harnesses for seats, integral tool kit, ballistic glass, 360° ring mount or spigot mount for weapons, infrared / blackout lighting, dual spare wheels, 9,000lb-capacity electric winch and fire extinguishing systems as well as shielded ammo storage areas.

Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) Helicopter Demonstrator, USA

Dimensions
Length
9.94m
Height
2.67m
Fuselage Length
7.49m
Tail Plane Span
1.65m
Main Rotor Diameter
8.33m
Tail Rotor Diameter
1.42m
Type
Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft
Full specifications

The Boeing unmanned Little Bird (ULB) demonstrator is a modification of the MD 530F single-turbine helicopter, designed for both manned and unmanned flight. The ULB can be remotely operated or programmed for autonomous operations in any of its three operational modes: dual pilot, single pilot or unmanned flight operations. The high payload capacity allows missions to include long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions using heavy, high-capability sensors.

Boeing's unmanned Little Bird (ULB) helicopter demonstrator successfully completed its first flight in September 2004 and the first autonomous take-off and landing was carried out in October 2004. During this phase of testing an on-board test pilot monitored the helicopter's performance but did not actively fly the aircraft. The first truly unmanned flight was completed in July 2006.
"The Boeing unmanned
Little Bird demonstrator (ULB) is a modification of the MD 530F single-turbine helicopter."

The business operations centres responsible for development of the Little Bird include Boeing Rotorcraft Unmanned Systems based in Mesa, Arizona, Boeing Advanced Systems, the Boeing Company in St Louis, and Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, St Louis.

The unmanned Little Bird demonstrator aircraft has safely conducted more than 500 hours of UAV technology flight testing since its first flight in September 2004. The demonstrator has supported the definition and qualification of US Army manned and unmanned aircraft operations. The ULB demonstrator won the American Helicopter Society's AHS 2005 Grover E Bell award for the best advancement in rotorcraft research for that year.

The unmanned variant being internationally marketed by Boeing is based on the A/MH-6M aircraft. The A/MH-6 helicopters which are used by the US Army Special Forces are based on the MD 500 series.

A/MH-6X

The A/MH-6X is an optionally manned or unmanned aircraft which is a hybrid of the ULB demonstrator and the A/MH-6M mission-enhanced Little Bird which is used by US Army Special Operations Command. The A/MH-6X completed its first flight in September 2006.

The payload capacity of the A/MH-6X is 1,543kg, nearly 50% greater than that of the ULB demonstrator.

The glass cockpit of the A/MH-6X includes advanced avionics systems such as multi-sensor data fusion, digital mapping, high bandwidth signal processing, data storage, digital radio and Ku band (11.0GHz to 14.5GHz) communications.

Little Bird missions

For the US Army, the missions of the manned / unmanned A/MH-6X Little Bird could include surveillance, as a wideband communications node, resupply of troops in battlefield forward positions, the extraction of stranded soldiers in the battlefield and the rescue of downed pilots.

Helicopter design

The unmanned Little Bird helicopter air vehicle is based on the combat-proven MD 530F light helicopter which was first flown in 1982.

The helicopter is fitted with an articulated five-bladed main rotor of diameter 8.33m. The retention pins are removed to fold the blades for storage.

Mission payloads

The ULB helicopter can be fitted with a range of surveillance, communications and weapons to fulfil different mission requirements. The payload capacity is 1,090kg.

The flight tests of the ULB helicopter have been carried out with payloads of an L-3 Wescam MX-15 electro-optical and infrared sensor together with an L-3 Communications tactical common datalink (TCDL).
"The unmanned Little Bird demonstrator aircraft has safely conducted more than 500 hours of UAV technology flight."

Weapons

The ULB helicopter can be armed with 2.75in rockets, the Viper Strike stand-off precision-guided munition (SOPGM) supplied by Northrop Grumman and a 12.7mm GAU-19 Gatling gun.

The Viper Strike SOPGM is a gliding munition for stand-off precision attack which uses GPS-aided navigation and a semi-active laser seeker. It is intended for operations that require a flexible (steep or shallow) angle of inclination, particularly in mountainous terrain or urban areas. The munition's small size and precision provide low collateral damage in cluttered urban environments.

ULB guidance system

Boeing developed the ground control station and the air vehicle's guidance and navigation systems. The air vehicle uses a conventional automatic take-off and landing procedure.

Engine

The 485kW Rolls-Royce 250-C30 turboshaft engine is mounted on an incline in the rear section of the fuselage.