The latter can store up to 50 different ballistic tables, a shortlist of five such tables being selectable from the remote grip interface, which is connected to the FCS12 by a wireless link. A built-in inclinometer measures terrain angle and provides the compensation. Three-day continuous operation with over 100 range computations is provided by six AA batteries. The FCS12 is compatible with all kinds of night vision devices. The Aimpoint unit can be used on reocket-propelled grenade launchers and other support weapons.
The maiden voyage of the Northrop Grumman/EADS Euro Hawk began on 29 June from Northrop’s Palmdale, California facility, from where it climbed to 32,000 feet, underwent a series of flight tests and landed two hours later at Edwards Air Force Base. The Euro Hawk is the European configuration of the RQ-4 Global Hawk highaltitude drone – it is based on the Block 20 variant and equipped with a new sigint package from EADS Defence & Security, which will also provide a sigint ground station separate from the mission control, launch and recovery ground station from Northrop Grumman. The Eurohawk consortium – a 50:50 joint venture of the two companies – received a contract from the German Ministry of Defence in 2007 to develop the Euro Hawk sigint system.
With the Swedish Government’s recent decision to endow its navy with a new- generation submarine, the Kockums A26 design should become a reality in a few years. The February full-scale development go-ahead will also have a major impact on the preservation of the Scandinavian firm’s know-how in the development of submarines that are mainly intended for littoral warfare – a highly specialised discipline in itself. In tune with the increased demand for inter- national operations, the A26’s design and equipment will be sharply tweaked for information gathering missions. With a crew size ranging from 17 to 26 men, depending on the mission, the 63-metre long boat will have a submerged displacement of 1900 tonnes. A Sterling diesel electric air-independent propulsion system will enable her to stay submerged ‘for weeks’. In addition to four 53-cm bow tubes she will also have a flexible payload lock.
