New systems
Over the past few years, a number of new DUMVs have been developed for land transport platforms, as the leading companies in this area have their finger on the pulse, perfectly understanding the changing needs of existing and potential customers.
The new Fieldranger line from the German company Rheinmetall includes four different weapon modules: Fieldranger Light with a mass of 75 kg, designed for installation on light vehicles and capable of accepting machine guns of caliber 5, 56x45 mm or 7, 62x51 mm: Fieldranger Multi, which is suitable for installation on tracked and wheeled vehicles and can be equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher; Fieldranger Dual for medium and heavy platforms, which can accept main and paired auxiliary weapons; and finally the Fieldranger 20, a medium caliber system armed with an Oerlikon-KAE 20mm automatic cannon.
Rheinmetall's DUMV portfolio also includes the light Amarok, the Nanuk with dual weapons and the Qimek module with a single weapon. However, according to Alan Tremblay of Rheinmetall Canada, the company's main focus is currently on the Fieldranger family. While Fieldranger has yet to find a buyer, Tremblay noted that potential customers are showing great interest in the line.
Tremblay stressed that the DUMV market is saturated to the limit due to the large number of companies involved in this business. This sector has expanded significantly, whereas 10 years ago there were only about six main suppliers of DUMV. Now more than 40 companies in the world offer such systems. This growth is especially noticeable in the West, where many countries have their own suppliers of such systems.
"Almost all NATO countries have their own manufacturers of remotely controlled weapons modules and most countries prefer to buy domestic products with the exception of isolated cases,"
- said Tremblay, adding that Rheinmetall focuses on second-tier customers, that is, those who have not yet bought DUMV. "We look forward to doing deals in Asia and Africa this year."
Today, there are four main preferences among customers in the field of DUMV. First, although DUMVs have traditionally been built around smaller calibers, today there is a growing demand for larger sizes, extending primarily to the medium caliber area. Second, users need improved module stabilization. Third, appetites for improved target tracking are growing and, finally, operators want to be able to integrate their DUMV into battle control systems. “These are the four areas that customers really want to go,” Tremblay said. "They want more opportunities for the same price or even less, which creates certain difficulties for the industry."
Emphasizing that there are many requirements even within these basic four trends, Tremblay noted that according to the various contracts that Rheinmetall has received over the past decade, “We have never sold the same module twice. All of them have been modified and adapted to meet the specific needs of customers. Hypothetically, a client from North Africa might want to install an optoelectronic system produced by a European country along with Russian weapons. We must be able to implement in our systems any solutions that our customers need”.
Talking about the importance of effective integration of DUMV with combat control systems. Tremblay said that DUMV should be able to send data and information or images from vision devices … since we have an open architecture, we can do this quite easily."
New sizes
The Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace is the main supplier of DUMV and uninhabited turrets, as it produces the very popular modules of the Protector family, and also supplies CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) weapons modules to the American army.
The Norwegian company has supplied thousands of systems to the army to date, and this collaboration will continue until at least the mid-2020s. In September 2018, Kongsberg was awarded a five-year contract worth up to $ 498 million to manufacture and procure additional M153 Protector systems, leading to a number of other deals.
The Protector line includes several different platforms. According to the manufacturer, DUMV Protector is a modular system designed to work in extreme environmental conditions. The system allows the operator to work from a protected position, use their stabilized optics and lasers to observe, detect and fire targets with increased accuracy and low indirect losses. The fully stabilized platform provides excellent visibility and capture capabilities when the shooter is able to keep his sights on targets regardless of the ballistic decision made for armament.
Another option with similar advantages is the DUMV Protector Low Profile, which is manufactured for the M1A2 Abrams tanks of the American army. According to the manufacturer, the system, designed for small and medium caliber weapons, can be installed on any type of platform.
A representative from Kongsberg drew attention to the new orders for Protector modules, which the company received as evidence that such systems have become more often included in machine programs.
"DUMV is an important part of the requirements in many of these programs and is intended either for the entire fleet, or at least for several types of machines in this fleet."
According to his point of view, the general DUMV market has somewhat contracted in recent years, although it has become more competitive. “The competition is, of course, tougher. Many other companies are trying to catch up with us."
He added that Kongsberg sees a need to increase the range of sensors and increase the firepower of the weapons of its DUMV, noting the trend of integrating anti-tank or anti-aircraft missiles, for example, the Javelin or the Stinger. In response to these needs, the company has developed the Protector LW30 module, which is somewhat heavier than the standard version, but provides advanced capabilities. It can have the main armament in the form of a 20-mm or 25-mm M230LF cannon, as well as a coaxial 7, 62-mm machine gun and anti-tank or anti-aircraft missiles.
He said that Kongsberg is considering connecting weapons systems to digital networks with "a suite of services that assist the operator." Significantly improved operational capabilities, especially increased fire efficiency, will be a key result of this digital process.
"Combat units using platforms with the Protector DUMV will be able to collectively deploy their weapons in the future, faster and more efficiently than existing platforms."
A representative of the Kongsberg company noted the new development of the Protector Combat Services company - software that integrates sensors and weapons and allows the exchange of target data, thus providing a new dimension for combined arms combat. He explained:
“The key modular element of the project is lethality and joint target neutralization capabilities. Protector allows the crew to generate and exchange data on the location of targets on board the platform and between various sensors, weapon systems and self-defense systems. Simple graphical displays and augmented reality overlays increase the situational awareness of crew members. This improves the fight against targets and the effectiveness of weapons systems, while reducing the risk of mutual shelling."
Positive prospects
Describing the use of DUMV (as well as uninhabited towers) versus inhabited towers as a battle of doctrines and cultures, which is still "fierce", Tremblay noted that many military, although not deviating from inhabited solutions for a number of reasons, may not believe. that uninhabited systems will provide adequate situational awareness, for example.
“Many countries are looking at the possibility of maintaining the level of situational awareness without opening the hatch, but do not want to move on to new solutions,” he explained, adding that no more than 30% of countries in the world are armed with DUMV.
"Many countries are still hesitant about their first purchase of weapons modules or their first deployment."
The DUMV sector, capable of meeting the requirements of customers at different levels of development and integration of combat capabilities, still has great potential. Market research shows that countries can upgrade and supplement their ground forces and capabilities, including "weapon modules of a certain type, offensive or defensive." For example, at present there is an increased demand for equipping DUMV supply trucks, "there was no such need even 10 years ago."
In addition, the company has integrated DUMV into its remote controlled vehicles, which has proven particularly attractive to operators.
"This combination is quite interesting and in this regard, fantastic prospects are now emerging,"
said Tremblay.
Tremblay pointed out that operators are in demand for high reliability, high efficiency and high accuracy of the DUMV technology. He continued:
“These are the big things we focus on. Rheinmetall has striven to create systems with a modular architecture that adapt to different types of optocouplers depending on the needs of the customer and that are specifically tailored to each customer, since today you cannot impose one system on customers, it must be developed based on their wishes. If we do not do this, then we risk being left without customers."
Built-in intelligence
FN Herstal also manufactures DUMV, including for ground platforms. The deFNder Light module is designed for vehicles that do not need a heavy machine gun, and it is also well suited for perimeter defense missions. It can accept 5, 56 mm and 7, 62 mm machine guns. The deFNder Medium module can be installed on light, medium and heavy platforms and can be equipped with a wide variety of weapons, including the FN M3R.50cal machine gun, 40 mm grenade launchers, 5, 56 mm FN Minimi light machine guns and 7, 62 mm FN Mag.
A company spokesman said that there is a growing demand for embedding certain “intelligent functions” into the DUMV, and there is also a need for several such systems to work together. He pointed to several technical changes in the deFNnder line, for example, the inclusion of a radio channel that allows the installation of DUMV on mobile robots.
FN Herstal also did not pass by ground robots, installing the deFNder Medium module on the Themis remote-controlled machine of the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. The use of DUMV in conjunction with habitable systems is likely to increase, with particular emphasis on improved networking of different platforms. The company representative also pointed out the growing need for modularity and adaptability of systems to customer needs. In addition, artificial intelligence will grow in importance, offering "automatic detection, recognition, target identification and increased situational awareness."
The Italian company Leonardo has several DUMVs in its catalog, for example Cerberus, which the company developed in collaboration with Indra and Escribano Mechanical and Engineering. DUMV Cerberus is easily integrated on all types of vehicles, both wheeled and tracked. The module is armed with a 30 mm MK44 Stretch Bushmaster cannon (can be converted to 40 mm caliber), a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and an ATGM.
According to Leonardo, the system is equipped with two stabilized optronic sights for the commander and the gunner, located in the hull, while the turret is prepared for the installation of various protection kits in order to meet the customer's requirements for ballistic protection levels. If necessary, additional sensors can be integrated, for example, sniper detection systems or laser warnings. The company confirmed that the development of the DUMV Cerberus has been completed, and recently conducted firing tests in Spain, where the module was installed on the M113 armored personnel carrier.
Leonardo, which also manufactures the HITFIST remote weapon system, highlights a number of market trends that have emerged in recent years, in particular the integration of active protection systems and anti-tank missiles into DUMV with medium-caliber cannons. Missiles allow for increased flexibility in neutralizing fortified targets at long distances, including MBT.
"The demand for DUMV in the world continues to grow," said a representative of EOS Defense Systems, a manufacturer of several DUMV models. "This is driven by further network integration of sensor-gunner systems and continuous improvements in soldier survivability." However, according to the representative, the initial position underlying the development of the DUMV. remains the same, namely the desire to improve operator safety.
“Currently, customers want to achieve greater range, lethality and accuracy from these systems. DUMV are today considered as the main lethal subsystems, available for combat rather than support units."
The emphasis is now on optimizing weapon systems and integrating them with other onboard subsystems. We can indeed send a large amount of sensory information to other on-board systems, as well as receive data for targeting by external target designation commands, etc.
Small programs
The Israeli company Rafael manufactures the Samson DUMV family. A company spokesman said that currently the demand for larger calibers is growing, more and more customers are requesting modules with 30-mm cannons and rocket launchers, asking to add and "integrate the Trophy active protection system and get a full package of survivability, maneuverability and lethality."
The requirement for the supply of ammunition from the inside of the vehicle today has become an industry standard, as is the presence of air detonation ammunition in the ammunition load. Over the years, Rafael has added several features to increase the operator's situational awareness, such as automatic target identification and classification plus the ability to track multiple circuits at the same time. The company has improved the protection of the module, increased accuracy and fire efficiency, and also improved survivability by installing a KAZ.
"Autonomy is becoming one of the main characteristics," confirmed a Rafael spokesman. As a result, she developed her own kit for advanced armored vehicles, which is based on two main elements - situational awareness and autonomous support. The latter will make it possible to reduce the crew of the vehicle to two people, which will increase the efficiency of various platform systems, including the DUMV. In addition, it will allow autonomous identification and classification of targets.
"The combination of the KAZ Trophy, which has already proven itself in combat, and the DUMV installed on a vehicle with autonomous Rafael development capabilities, can be seen as a game-changing factor in ground combat and a great technological revolution."
Rafael developed the Fire Weaver tactical networked system "that connects all sensors and gunners on the battlefield to increase situational awareness and dramatically shorten the sensor-to-gun cycle." As part of the DUMV, it "transforms the weapon module and the entire platform from a separate element into a single network system." According to Rafael, it strived to ensure that this system did not occupy an excessive amount of space in the platform and worked seamlessly with the rest of the DUMV components.
For a fighter
According to a spokesman for the Australian company EOS, it strives to deliver products that have "the largest and most accurate firepower on the lightest base available in every market segment." For example, the R150 module was declared by the company to be the lightest DUMV in the world; it is capable of firing 12.7 mm machine guns with an accuracy corresponding to their maximum performance characteristics.
“EOS is focusing on delivering a family of remotely controlled weapons systems to its customers that would not be difficult. and simplified the combat mission to the fighter. Whether we are developing a sensor unit, a slewing ring or a control group (display, ballistic computer, etc.). we see that what matters most to the user is to reduce their workload."
This company has a number of other systems in its portfolio, for example, the lightweight R150S and R800S, as well as the optionally manned turret T-2000. The R150S module is designed to meet the requirements for self-defense, in particular it is suitable for support vehicles for which mine protection is essential and the mass is limited. The R400S module includes a dual system with a 30x113 mm cannon and coaxial machine gun along with optional ATGMs. The R800S model, in the box version, which provides a significant reduction in weight, can accept a full-size cannon for a 30x173 mm projectile.
The new T2000 model, meanwhile, is a turret with built-in active protection, an all-round visibility system and a protected missile launcher.
“With the T2000, we have been integrating these subsystems from the outset, not just adding them to an existing tower.”
The evolution of the system architecture has made it easier to integrate various subsystems, which is increasingly popular with customers. "EOS products are flexible enough to functionally, and our architecture is adaptable so that we can work on the software and achieve the desired integration." According to the representative, the company owns and controls the development of the entire system, that is, it has no problems integrating assemblies from different manufacturers into its systems."
An EOS spokesman said that in the long term, DUMVs will remain remotely controlled rather than autonomous, adding that the company "does not see the market need to remove the operator from the equation." The volume of production of uninhabited systems is especially striking, but at the same time the volume of production of DUMV does not lag behind at all. “Unmanned platforms require pure uninhabited firepower solutions such as our R-Series systems,” said an EOS spokesman. "This will be the only way to meet the weight requirements of modern platforms."
