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Multiple Arnold Defense Rocket Launchers on Display at AUSA 2021

Monday, October 11th, 2021

Arnold Defense, the St. Louis based manufacturer of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, will have a number of variants of their world-renowned rocket launchers on display at this year’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition, taking place 11-13 October 2021, in Washington DC.

Arnold Defense will be showcasing three rocket launcher systems at the event. The LAND-LGR4 ‘FLETCHER’ land-based launcher will be displayed in the Kongsberg booth (2147) mounted on their Protector RWS. The 23-round MLHS will be displayed in the BAE Systems booth (1210/1220) mounted on a ‘common deck’ platform from MSI Defense Solutions. Being shown in public for the first time is a prototype concept demonstrator 3-round air launcher named the “Trident” which can be seen in the Moog booth (7601) mounted on their Lightweight Dual Rail Launcher (DRL). The new Trident launcher is in development, but following a planned future test program, it is expected to deliver the following capability benefits: utilizes existing missile launcher interface for mounting and system control of Laser Guided Rockets (LGRs); significant weight saving over other launcher variants; no software changes to existing Fire Control required; Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) adaptation for digital control of analog rockets (Moog Trident Interface Unit- TIU); common missile interface across multiple platforms for maximum LGR strike capability; each Trident carries up to three (3) LGRs, providing a lethal weapons load of guided rockets.

Arnold Defense is the world’s largest supplier of rocket launchers for military aircraft, vessels and vehicles; they have manufactured more than 1.2 million 2.75-inch (70mm) rocket launchers since 1961 for the U.S. Armed Forces and a number of NATO customers. They design and manufacture rocket launchers that can be customized for any size, weight, capacity, or form factor for platforms in the air, on the ground or at sea.

Arnold’s core products include the 7-round M260 and 19-round M261 commonly used by U.S. Army helicopters; the thermal coated 7-round LAU-68 variants and LAU-61 Digital Rocket Launcher used by the U.S. Navy; and the 7-round LAU-131 and SUU-25 flare dispenser used by the U.S. Air Force. For land or sea-based operations, Arnold offers the FLETCHER, a 4-round laser target designated rocket launcher and the MLHS 23-round launcher. Arnold Defense first launched the revolutionary FLETCHER system at DSEi in 2017 and announced a new capability development program for FLETCHER at DSEi in September 2021.

Doug Wallace, President at Arnold Defense said: “We’re pleased to be displaying a number of variants of our air and land-based launchers at AUSA, working in collaboration with our partners BAE Systems, Kongsberg, Moog and MSI Defense Solutions.” He added: “being seen for the first time is our prototype ‘Trident’ 3-round air launcher that is currently in development, aiming to deliver significant capability enhancements to the warfighter”.

www.arnolddefense.com/arnold-defense-announces-next-generation-fletcher-development-program

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AUSA 21 – SIG SPEAR Update

Monday, October 11th, 2021

SIG gave us an update on their SPEAR MCX line. All of these firearms were developed for the defense side and will be offered as commercial variants.

The top gun is 20” in 6.5 CM which will be offered as a commercial version with a shorter barrel.

Middle is the NGSW gun in 6.8 x 51. Plans are in the work for a commercial version in .277 SIG FURY.

Bottom is the SIG SPEAR MCX 8” which serves as a heavy version of the Rattler. It features a 8” barrel and will initially be offered in .308, followed by 6.5 CM.

Posted in Advertiser, weapons | 24 Comments »

Rampart Range Day 21 – Colt C20 Carbine

Thursday, September 30th, 2021

Colt Canada provides the C20 Intermediate Sniper Weapon (seen below) to the Canadian forces. This 7.62 NATO rifle features a lower receiver based on the Colt 901 platform and an upper featuring Colt Canada’s M-Lok compatible, monolithic design. Now, it’s joined by a Patrol Carbine variant.

As a carbine it features a collapsible stock, 16″ barrel with 1 in 10 twist, and a weight of 8.14 lbs. The overall length is 36.9″ (stock extended) and 33.7″ (stock collapsed).

Colt products are available for unit and agency orders within Canada from Rampart International.

Posted in Rampart Range Day, weapons | 1 Comment »

Rampart Range Day 21 – CADEX CDX-SS S.T.A.R.S.

Wednesday, September 29th, 2021

CADEX Defence showed off their new Sports and Tactical Applications Rifle System (STARS) which features a Remington 700 pattern short action for .223 and 300 BLK applications, with 3 lug bolt and 60 deg throw.

The construction is Stainless Steel with Cerakote finish, incorporating an 11” barrel and Titanium suppressor which is hidden under the handguard.

Additionally, the chassis is M-LOK compatible and features a full length Picatinny top rail.

The most interesting feature is the quick detach stock assembly which utilizes a lug that fits into a receiver at the rear of the chassis.

CADEX Defence products are available for unit and agency orders within Canada from Rampart International.

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Special Operations, 82nd Airborne Snipers Test New Modular Precision Rifle at Bragg

Saturday, September 25th, 2021

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Operational testing of the Army’s newest generation sniper system — the MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) — marks the project’s final hurdle before fielding.

“The modular nature of the PSR allows it to be tailored to meet mission requirements and is appealing to airborne Snipers who are typically armed with long-barreled precision rifles of a single caliber offering,” said Sgt. 1st Class Marcus Love, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, Test Noncommissioned Officer.

Because of the single-caliber offerings, snipers requiring additional capabilities must deploy with additional weapons. The PSR can be configured for multi-calibers by the Sniper in the field and requires no higher level maintenance to reconfigure. It will also extend engagement ranges for both anti-material and anti-personnel target engagements.

“The increased engagement range will keep Snipers safer and increase the options for the local commander employing these combat multipliers,” said Sgt. Austin Stevens, a Sniper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“With a folding stock and removable suppression system, the PSR will provide airborne Snipers a more compact load during airborne infiltration operations without reducing their lethality while providing a precision rifle platform more conducive to their combat environment,” said MK-22 Project NCO Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Copley.

Spc. Michael Liptak, a Sniper with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment immediately identified the attributes of accuracy in regards to the MK-22. “I was surprised at the accuracy and the straightforward approach to testing the PSR,” he said.

Prior to testing, Snipers from across the airborne and special operations community took part in new equipment training which included familiarization with the system, maintenance, target engagement, system configuration and zeroing procedures.

For Spec. Nathanael Keffer, a Sniper with 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, the PSR’s versatility to adapt to multiple mission sets was a marked advantage. “The PSR is a very versatile weapon system that can be tailored to meet multiple mission requirements,” said Keffer.

Mr. Larry Harris, ABNSOTD Deputy Chief of Test said, “The critical task in testing any small arms platform intended for use by airborne forces is ensuring zero retention of the primary optic subsequent to airborne insertion. “This is a critical gauge of the Paratrooper’s lethality during airfield seizure and other follow-on operations.”

To evaluate this performance measure of the PSR, the ABNSOTD test team applied the organization’s mobile weapons boresight collimator to the rifle after jumping to make sure the Sniper’s pre-mission zero was not degraded by shock during the jump.

“This process establishes a baseline for sight reticle locations prior to and post airborne insertion,” said Miles Crawford, Test Technology Branch Chief, ABNSOTD. “Testers can monitor any shift in the weapon sight reticle that may have been induced by shock associated with static line parachutes,” Crawford said.

Story by Mr. Mike Shelton, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command

Photos by Mr. James Finney, Audio Visual Production Specialist, Base and Test Support Services contractor

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Parachuting, weapons | 6 Comments »

US Navy Selects Kongsberg to Help Develop Autonomous Target Recognition for USMC Weapon Systems

Friday, September 24th, 2021

JOHNSTOWN, PENN., Sept. 23, 2021 – The U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to demonstrate a weapon system with autonomous target identification, recognition and engagement. NSWCDD develops the Automated Remote Engagement System (ARES) that increases the efficiency of remote weapon systems and remote turrets which will be integrated onto Kongsberg Remote Weapon Stations to evaluate technology performance at a system level and support the demonstration of a weapon system for autonomous target identification, recognition, and engagement. The common goal is to demonstrate this performance on Kongsberg’s latest weapon systems that will be fielded in the U.S Navy such as the Tech Refresh Common Remote Operation Weapon System (CROWS), the RT20 turret on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) and the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS).

Kongsberg’s selection for the CRADA follows on the heels of several other Marine Corps programs started in the last two years. In addition to the fielding of CROWS on ACV and the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), Kongsberg’s RS6 30x113mm RWS was selected for the MADIS program, its RT20 30x173mm turret was selected as the ACV medium caliber weapon system, and various Kongsberg RWS are the weapon systems on the prototypes selected for the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV). For the CRADA, Kongsberg is leveraging work it has already done as the remote lethality architecture provider for the U.S. Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program.

Kongsberg brings more than twenty years of remote-control weapon technology of different sizes, complexity and payloads and is an ideal partner for this co-development effort with NSWCDD. While continuing to perfect its systems, Kongsberg has developed a fire control system that can be wireless operated and controlled by a robotic operator. This independently funded fire control system for RWS and medium caliber turrets is capable of interacting with ARES and will be demonstrated through this CRADA.

Kongsberg is the world’s leading manufacturer of RWS, having delivered nearly 20,000 units to more than 20 countries worldwide. Kongsberg is also the sole provider of RWS and remote turrets to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. All RWS and remote turrets bound for U.S. customers are manufactured in the Kongsberg Johnstown, Penn. facility. The company takes great pride in its continued support to, and for the United States, U.S. employees, and U.S. supply base.

For more information, visit kongsberg.com.

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DSEi 21 – SIG SAUER

Tuesday, September 21st, 2021

SIG SAUER is represented in the UK by Edgar Brothers so despite the decreased amount of participation by American companies, they were still on hand at DSEi. Although their display was much smaller than what you’d normally see for such a major brand, there are some great unicorns in these photos.

Posted in Advertiser, DSEi, weapons | 3 Comments »

ARMAX Journal

Saturday, September 18th, 2021

Armax is the peak international publication promoting the scholarship of contemporary arms. As a core discipline within the field of arms and armour studies, the study of contemporary arms engages with a broad range of academic areas including history (particularly contemporary, military, science, and technology history), war and conflict studies; ballistics; design and technology studies; museum studies; and forensic science.

Armax is a multidisciplinary journal publishing research from scholars around the world. In addition to full-length research articles and shorter research notes, Armax publishes book reviews, conference reports, obituaries, and other material relevant to the contemporary arms studies community. Armax is published by Helios House Press on behalf of the Cody Firearms Museum, with two issues annually. All research submissions are double-blind peer reviewed.

To subscribe, visit www.armaxjournal.org.

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