Monthly Archives: July 2015

U.S. Army developed 50mm Bushmaster cannon as C-RAM weapon

U.S. Army developed 50mm Bushmaster cannon as C-RAM weapon

U.S. Army engineers at Picatinny Arsenal has successfully developed a counter rockets, artillery and mortars (C-RAM) weapon using a 50mm version of the Bushmaster cannon.

Image: U.S. Army

The cannon-based approach is an alternative for the missile-based Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 Intercept program.
Each 50mm projectile is steered to its target by a thruster on board. Guidance is achieved by having the calculation done on the ground and transmitted back to the projectile.
So far, the system has managed to shot down a UAV on Apr. 22 at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

Source: U.S. Army developed 50mm Bushmaster cannon as C-RAM weapon

It cost French taxpayers $1.1 million a month to maintain Russia’s Mistral ships

It cost French taxpayers .1 million a month to maintain Russia’s Mistral ships

DCNS is spending at least $1.1 million a month to maintain two Mistral helicopter carriers that Russia had ordered, Chief Executive Herve Guillou said.

By Ludovic Péron (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Source: It cost French taxpayers .1 million a month to maintain Russia’s Mistral ships

U.S. Army facility helps Navy renovate Mark 80 series bombs

U.S. Army facility helps Navy renovate Mark 80 series bombs

The U.S Navy has a huge stockpile of Mar 80 series general purpose bombs with some manufactured as far back as the Vietnam War-era. These bombs have no shelf life and when the service required them for operational use, it relies on a U.S. Army facility to inspect and renovate them.

Photo Credit: Mr. Thomas Peske (AMC)

Source: U.S. Army facility helps Navy renovate Mark 80 series bombs

U.S. given green light to use Incirlik Air Base for air strikes in Syria

U.S. given green light to use Incirlik Air Base for air strikes in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. President Obama during a telephone conversation that American forces are cleared to use Incirlik Air Base for bombing missions against Islamic State in Syria.

By TSGT KEVIN J. GRUENWALD, USAF [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Turkish media reported that six unarmed Predator drones are currently operating out of the base and two will be fitted with weapons soon.

Source: U.S. given green light to use Incirlik Air Base for air strikes in Syria

Royal Navy warship successfully launch 3D printed UAV

Royal Navy warship successfully launch 3D printed UAV

Researchers from the University of Southampton have successfully flown a 3D printed unmanned aerial vehicle from the deck of HMS Mersey.

The 1.5 meter aircraft flew for 500 meters at a speed of around 50 knots. The aircraft is printed in four major parts and can be assembled without the use of any tools.


Source: Royal Navy warship successfully launch 3D printed UAV