AS AIRSPACE IN EUROPE, the US, Asia and many other parts gets more congested, defence forces and industry find it more difficult to undertake testing of advanced weapon and aviation systems. Environmental and commercial concerns also impose stringent limitations, rendering many areas unsuitable or impractical. That is where the OTB test range in South Africa comes…
THE USE OF FIREARMS in all manner of crimes, from domestic to terrorist, is a familiar aspect of today’s news, and it is the task of the Metropolitan Police force’s firearms unit (SO19) to respond. The officers that make up this unit are specially trained in the use of a variety of firearms and in assessing…
Belgium’s FN Herstal is a leading developer of small arms with a reputation for fielding innovative weapons systems. The 5.7x28mm ammunition is made up of three highly advanced components, developed to address 21st-century requirements for close- quarter combat, urban warfare, special operations and air and ground vehicle crew personal defence. These components are: • P90 Submachine…
Captain Scott Swanson of the US Air Force’s Predator Project Office said: “The RQ-1 Predator has successfully completed several combat deployments and offers great capability to commanders in the field”. He added that it was the USAF’s UAV of choice. At the General Atomic Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) facility in San Diego, California, where the Predator…
Czech manufacturer turns back the clock as twenties’ chassis design hits the road. Established in 1850 as a workshop producing horse carriages and coaches, Tatra a.s. has been manufacturing motor vehicles, cars and trucks since 1897. Military vehicles have always played an important role in the production range of the company. Starting in 1908 with…
Bridging developments Generations of successful bridge-buildinghave secured a unique reputation for EWKIn the area of defence technology EWK Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern GmbH is closely associated with the development and construction of a family of unique amphibious bridging and ferrying vehicles.From the bridging and ferrying rig EWK-Gillois in the 1950s, the M2 amphibious vehicle in the ‘60s…
Based in South Africa, Fuchs Electronics, part of the Reunert group of companies, is a world-leading electronic ordinance fuse supplier. Fuchs Electronics’ products offer armed forces an effective and reliable way to upgrade artillery, rocket, mortar and naval ammunition. Fuchs fuses are designed, developed, qualified and manufactured to various international standards such as MIL-STD, STANAG…
After thirty years combating the land-mine, the South African defence industry leads the fight against the world’s most feared weapon. The South African defence industry is renowned for combat-proven and innovative products such as the Rooikat wheeled armoured vehicle, the G6 mobile artillery weapon and the Rooivalk attack helicopter, but it is in the area…
Tim Ripley explains why top-of-the-range ship defence systems are essential to navies worldwide. On February 25, 1991, British Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester detected two Chinese-made Silkworm anti-ship missiles being launched from Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. Their target was the American battleship USS Missouri that was bombarding Iraqi positions during the first hours of the coalition land…