Eurosatory 2014: Seen and Heard from Andre Forkert

Heavy Duty Mast

Will-Burt and subsidiary GEROH are showing their brought portfolio of military elevation solutions, from very light (30kg weight) up to heavy duty (max. 600kg payload). Six of their masts are presented at their booth (Hall 5 C587).

The newest product is the Ultra Heavy Duty locking system (UHDL). The UHDL 18 m offers a max. extended height of 18m, a nested height of 3.4m and a max. payload of 544kg. The mast has a weight of 399kg. As options there are different heights (3-30m) available on customer request. The mast is qualified after MIL-STD and the technical challenge was to get tubes big and at the same time straight enough to carry that payload – even at high winds. US Forces and other military Organizations around the world are looking at this solution to use it for surveillance missions, e.g. on a trailer. GEROH is also producing military trailers. GEROH masts are used on the FENNEK and DINGO of the Bundeswehr as well as international vehicles (e.g. 2 masts on a BRDM 2, COBRA (Turkey) or the COMMANDO (by Nexter).

World premier of a Laser Optic Sight by Photonic

Austrian Photonic is showing its new LOS Laser optical Sight for the first time at Eurosatory. It will be used on the export versions of the Dynamit Nobel Defence RGW 60/90 family. The LOS offers a view of 90 mil and has also a number of additional functions, such as laser range finder (up to 1,500 m, eyesafe), ballistic computer and communication points between the sensor and the weapon. The weight is 1 kg and it should have only a third of the price of the sensor the Bundeswehr will use. At the moment the product is in its end phase of qualification. Photonic says in the future it could also work on other weapons (with/without direct communication).

World premier by Swarovski Optik

For the first time ever Swarovski Optik presents its new STR Spotting Scope with reticle. It should guarantee high performance at long-range at all tactical situations. The recticle (MRAD or MOA) can be activated/deactivated and used even with night vision systems by the ability to be individually adjustable. It is weather-resistant in every climate zone and tested according to DIN ISO 9022. As options a mounting rail set, winged eyecup, anti-reflecting device (HRD filter/kill flesh), photo equipment (all cameras/smart phones can be attached), external power adapter etc. can be adapted. Also available are laser filters.

Altogether there are four different versions, STR 20-60x65, STR 20-60x80, STR 25-50x65 W (wide) and STR 25-50x80 W. To get the wide versions the objective is just unscrewed and changed. The field of view at 1,000 m is 36-20 m (with 20-60x80) and the weight is 1.7 – 2.0 kg depending on the version (without bat. CR123).

Hostile Fire Detection for helicopters

ATK is showing their acoustic hostile fire detection system for the first time in Europe. It detects small caliber, anti-aircraft artillery, unguided rockets and rocket propelled grenades. The system is light weight (<8 lbs) and easy to install (<4 w power requirements) and offer multiple display options. The system sensor can be used as a stand-alone hostile fire detection system or in conjunction with other threat warning systems for a complete awareness capability.

SATCOM balloon

GATR is presenting an ultra-portable SATCOM solution with an inflatable stand-alone communications terminal. The systems has 50-80% less volume and weight compared to standard solutions and is transportable in just 2-3 cases, weight under 44 kg each. It can be used even in high winds (40+ mph) and extreme temperatures. The set up time is under 30 minutes with no special tools. Over 300 GATR are currently used worldwide by US (USSOCOM, USMC) and international (UK, Canada, Australia) forces. GATR is offering four 2.4 m antenna systems for C-, X-, Ku- and Ka-Band. The system looks like a balloon with a flexible satellite dish inside (which is curved by the pressure inside the balloon and consist of a material mix). Even with holes in the outer balloon (e.g. shots) the function is still maintained. The system automatically rises the inner air pressure.

NYXUS BIRD thermal imager gets a bigger brother

Jenoptik developed a bigger brother for the well known NYXUS BIRD multifunctional thermal imager. The new NYXUS BIRD Long Range (LR) has the same features, but a better IR-optics. The goal of the LR is to close the gap between uncooled thermal imager (like the NYXUS BIRD) and cooled sensors. All features of NYXUS BIRD and NYXUS BIRD LR are the same, except the field of view (FOV). Normal is a FOV of 11°x8°, LR offers a FOV of 7°x5° and therefore offer longer ranges for detection (+ 2 km), recognition (+0.8km) and identification (+0.4 km) – of a NATO standard target 2.3x2.3 m.

Both devices are now also able to be used as a “gyro” or “gis” targeting system. So NYXUS BIRD can be combined with a lightweight tripod and gyroscope from Vectronix for non-magnetic northfinding and providing most precise azimuth information and precise target coordinates. For even more precise locations it can be combined with a compact “Micro Pointer” tactical mission computer incorporating a full Geographic information System (GIS) for most accurate target location based on visual observation and GIS data.

World premier: Jenoptik NYXUS BIRD Long Range (LR)

Mobile Drinking Water for military application

For the first time ever, Berkefeld VWS Deutschland GmbH is taking part at a Defence Trade Show. At Eurosatory, Berkefeld is presenting the M6 mobile drinking water treatment plant (M6: 2.2 t, 6 m3/h or 1.7 m3/h of salinity water). It was the first unit especially developed for the needs of Forces around the world. This system works with a unique, fully automated and flexible filtration process ensuring reliable operation and high overall performance. The M6 had its world premier last year and was the start for a family of mobile drinking water treatment plants. The system family covers various sizes from M1 (1 cubic meter/hr) to M12 (12 cubic meter/hr). The M12 will only be 1 m longer than the M6 and 1 t heavier, but with a doubled output. Training, spare parts etc. will be the same with all units. The M3T (tank) was especially developed for the use with a tank system of the German Bundeswehr. All devices can be remote controlled and monitored via a 50 m cable. The M1 is under development for a humanitarian relief organization and should be: very robust, simple, compact, non electric with a low price. So an extra diesel pump or aggregate is needed. As a next step it will be possible to clean even decontaminated water. Therefore a second step (double pass) must be used.

Berkefeld M6 mobile drinking water treatment plant

New generators

Fischer Panda is presenting two new devices at Eurosatory. The Panda 8000 Combo FENNEC is a generator with ECU for shelters with a 6 kW electrical and 6 kW cooling output. It can be fixed via ISO corner casting at every standard container. The combined air-conditioner and power system (CAPS) has a weight of 520 kg and just to be linked with the vehicle tank and fulfill MIL-STD.

The second new unit is the RTU-2 MIL Multi Voltage Inverter ACU, an extremely small, light weight (110 kg) and powerful compressor for special vehicles, containers or shelters. Fischer Panda also offers a Power Demand Control (PDC) System. One controller can operate up to eight ACU’s over CAN bus system. This can provide up to 64 kW of cooling and 40 kW of heating.

Fisher Panda 8000 Combo FENNEC

European premier: DEW D900 military snowmobile

The world premier was just three weeks ago at CANSEC. The D900 by DEW Engineering and Development ULC from Canada is the first especially for military requirements – multifuel, long range, high payload and towing capacity (400 kg) - developed snowmobile.

Components are standard off-the shelf parts, chosen by DEW for their availability, durability and performance. A large internal stowage area and external storage brackets provide ample space to place gear. The turbocharged 3-cylinder engine of the D900 is using Diesel (NATO F-34) and has a fuel consumption of 8.3 l/100 km. This offers a range of 550 km and a max. speed of 70 km/h. DEW points out that the D900 (360 kg) has a 3-times better fuel economy compared to all other snowmobiles.

As options an emergency starter (electric standard) or left throttle are possible on customer request.

The D900 was developed for over two years and is the first vehicle of DEW. Normally DEW is building trailers, shelters, is responsible for repairs and maintenance of military vehicle and DEW was also responsible for the ballistic armor of the US STRYKER.

DEW Engineering D900