In Germany, Rhine metal, a company known by many of our most loyal fans, has unveiled an icon of the future – Fox Evolution, the successor of The Proven One armored personnel carrier. The engineers remain focused on mobility, reliability, and protection. Thanks to the versatility of its basic platform, the APC can be converted into all kinds of vehicles – an ambulance, an engineering vehicle, or an electronic warfare system. The 455 horsepower engine allows the vehicle to reach a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour. The payload is 9 tons. Evolution will be supported for at least 20 years, so there will be no shortage of spare parts and maintenance options.
Next up is an American product – EOTech. A company known to many shooting enthusiasts has presented this laser sight at the SHOT show 2023. The device is the size of a deck of cards and operates on a single cr123 battery, which is enough for nine hours. The manufacturer offers red and green lasers, the latter of which is more visible in daylight and bad weather, as well as a unique Divergence adjustment system for the infrared illuminator. The full version is scheduled to be delivered to law enforcement and military authorities this year for 2200. In 2024, the civilian market will receive a version with a shorter range, the price of which is not yet known.
Rayleigh Specialists also have something to show us. Their developments provide troops with new attack and maneuvering capabilities. On your screen, you’re seeing a single-use drone, also known as a Kamikaze drone, with a payload of 2 kilograms. The drone fits in a backpack and can be launched with one hand. It has a range of 10 kilometers or 20 minutes and a speed of up to 286 kilometers per hour. It also has the ability to track a target and hover in place. Not surprisingly, the United States is interested in this development, and the manufacturer already has a contract with the US Department of Defense.
This American creation, reminiscent of a Sci-Fi weapon, will be perfect for fighting drones. The manufacturer has been very clever. In his opinion, this product will be useful not only for the military but also for the police, as well as for the protection of important locations such as embassies. The operation is simple – just aim it as a drone and block any radio frequencies. After that, it all depends on the type of drone. Some will land immediately, and others will return to the takeoff point. The range is two kilometers, and the operating time is up to two hours. The development weighs about seven kilograms, but it’s easy to operate and doesn’t require much knowledge.
A system has been developed in Poland called the Lancer, which offers approximately the same functions. The Lancer 2.0 model is more compact than the previous version and offers a touch panel to power modes and four hours of work in standby mode. In addition, the creators highlight Lancer’s ability to work alongside external surveillance systems as well as on your own. However, autonomy is more modest, at around one kilometer.
The South Korean Redback IFV continues our selection. The Israeli Spike LR2 missile system is used in the firing demonstration. It’s a multi-purpose model that allows attacking both vehicles, including tanks, and fortifications. For example, you can configure it so that the missile penetrates 20 centimeters of reinforced concrete and only then designates the range of fire. From a ground-based missile launcher, the range of fire is five and a half kilometers, and by mounting it on a helicopter, it increases to 10 kilometers. The missile’s artificial intelligence allows the operator to successfully track even small targets or targets that disappear from radars.
The South Korean K9 Thunder is a self-propelled howitzer with a 155-millimeter gun it’s being produced since 1999 and is currently in service with the armed forces of South Korea, India, Poland, and Turkey among others. The weapon can fire up to eight rounds per minute and has a range of up to 40 kilometers thanks to its automatic loading system. The South Korean company that produces the K9 Thunder also offers other artillery systems like the Chunmoo K239, the K10 ARV, and the K11 Artillery System.
Another interesting product in the defense industry is the Israeli-made Tavor X95, a modern bullpup-style assault rifle that’s in use with the Israeli Defense Forces and other military and law enforcement agencies around the world. The X95 is a compact and versatile weapon that’s easy to handle and maneuver in tight spaces. It can fire both 5.56mm NATO and 9mm Luger ammunition and has a modular design that allows for easy customization and upgrades.
Moving on to the topic of naval vessels, the US Navy’s new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are the most advanced carriers in the world. These massive warships measure over 1,000 feet in length and have a displacement of over 100,000 tons. They’re powered by two nuclear reactors that provide an incredible amount of energy to the ship’s propulsion system and other onboard systems. The Ford-class carriers are equipped with the latest weapons and sensors, including the advanced AN/SPY-3 radar system, the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile, and the F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft.
In the area of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the MQ-9 Reaper is a game-changer. This drone is capable of carrying a wide range of weapons and sensors, and can operate at high altitudes for extended periods of time. The Reaper has been used by the US military for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions in a number of conflicts around the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Finally, we come to the F-35 Lightning II, the most advanced fighter jet in the world. The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter that’s designed to operate in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It’s equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and avionics that give it unmatched situational awareness and combat capabilities. The F-35 is in use with the US military and several other countries around the world, and is expected to be a key component of many air forces for years to come.
In conclusion, the defense industry is a vital sector of the global economy, providing the tools and technology necessary to keep nations safe and secure. From tanks and fighter jets to drones and naval vessels, the products and innovations of the defense industry are constantly evolving and improving. As the world becomes more complex and dangerous, the importance of a strong and capable defense industry becomes more evident.