It is rather difficult to name a category of equipment that would not be in demand by special forces, since these units, as a rule, want to get what they need, while purchases are often associated with their unconventional requirements
Mobility, communications, firepower, defense, intelligence gathering, are just a few of the many areas that Special Operations Forces (MTR) units are interested in, whose list of purchases is almost endless. The general trend is that new technologies and equipment are the first to fall into the hands of the MTR, but when MTR gets something better, then some of it is often transferred to the conventional military. This article does not pretend to describe all the latest developments, but is aimed only at describing those newest systems that may become part of the MTR equipment in the near future.
Fire power
Direct operations remain one of the main activities of the MTR and therefore small arms and ammunition for them are a key component of their equipment. Despite the fact that discussions on new calibers and new types of ammunition, which took place mainly in the United States, were sometimes quite lively, little was embodied in reality, although some systems were delivered to the MTR units, mainly for testing. The.300 Blackout cartridge developed by Advanced Armament Corporation is arguably the cartridge that has garnered the special attention of the MTR community.
Many companies have developed their weapons systems in this new caliber. Among them, the most successful is apparently the Sig Saner MCX assault rifle, which was adopted by the Dutch naval special forces, the Berlin police and, more recently, the Italian Navy special forces. In February 2018, the US Special Operations Command ordered 10 Sig Sauer MCX Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) conversion kits to convert the M4A1 carbine to PDW "Second line" [crews of combat vehicles, artillery crews and others]). These 10 kits were reportedly ordered for evaluation testing and delivered on time.
There remains a problem with the effectiveness of the 5, 56x45 mm cartridge, which many consider insufficient, calling for a return to the 7, 62x51 mm caliber, which provides a longer effective range and more energy. Currently being developed new cartridges of these calibers provide long range and penetration, which is very important given the widespread use of body armor, including among insurgents and militants. MTRs are usually the first to receive and test these new cartridges. As for light weapons systems, in recent years, many MTR units in Europe have chosen new small arms for themselves, but in the overwhelming majority of cases, the choice was made in favor of traditional solutions.
In February 2018, the Israeli company IMI Systems announced the development of a new 5, 56x45 mm ammunition, which "combines the advantages of cartridges of calibers 5, 56 mm and 7, 62 mm." The development took into account the experience gained by the customers of IMI Systems, mainly, of course, the Israeli armed forces, which, according to the company, are already testing the cartridge and it is no secret which divisions received it first. The new 5.56mm cartridge, designated APM (Armor Piercing Match), has greater accuracy and penetration than the standard 5.56mm cartridge. In addition, tests have confirmed that the new ammunition has a 30% better accuracy compared to standard 7.62 mm rounds at distances up to 550 meters and better penetration at a distance of 800 meters. When firing at a NATO standard steel plate with a thickness of 3.4 mm from this distance, the APM bullet reached 100% penetration. The new 5, 56 mm APM cartridge is of the FMJ-BT APHC type (Full Metal Jacket-Boat Tail, Armor Piercing Hard Core - a sheathing bullet with a tapered tail, armor-piercing with a reinforced core), the cartridge weighs 73 grams, and the sleeve is 12.9 grams.
BAE Systems has completed the development of the new 7.62mm HP (High Performance) cartridge, which has passed the entire qualification process in accordance with NATO standards. Compared to the standard 7.62mm cartridge, which weighs 144 grains (0.062 grains), the HP cartridge has a 155 grains bullet. Another difference is that the new bullet has a hardened steel tip and a lead back, while the standard cartridge has a full lead bullet; As for the charge, the one-component composition has given way to a two-component one. The penetration capacity of steel sheet with a thickness of 3.5 mm increased from 600 to 1000 meters, an 8-mm sheet from 250 to 450 meters and a 5-mm sheet of rolled armor steel from 100 to almost 350 meters. Building on the experience of developing a larger caliber cartridge, BAE Systems has also developed a new 5, 56mm EP (Enhanced Performance) cartridge. In this case, the bullet with a steel tip and a lead core was replaced by a bullet with a non-toxic hardened steel core, while the mass of the bullet remained the same 62 grains (like the bullet of the SS109 cartridge). Its characteristics did not increase so much, since the original 5, 56 mm cartridge already had a two-component charge and a steel tip. However, the penetration capacity increased from 600 to 850 meters for 3.5mm plate, from 250 to 350 meters for 8mm plate, and from 100 to 250 meters for 5mm armor steel plate.
Other companies have developed similar solutions as well. The Swiss RUAG Ammotec offered its 5, 56mm LF HC + SX cartridge, while the British Stiletto Systems developed armor-piercing cartridges of Russian and NATO calibers, all based on a tungsten carbide core. Its cartridges have been comprehensively tested in independent shooting centers, showing significant penetration characteristics. The company announced that Ukrainian special forces operating in Donbas are using its cartridges, although it did not provide information on the calibers.
With regard to weapons, the units of the MTR of several Western countries have chosen new assault rifles, mainly in caliber 5, 56x45 mm. The HK416 rifle from Heckler & Koch has become one of the bestsellers. The latest news in this regard came in February 208 from the Netherlands, whose special forces are already armed with the original version of the rifle. Under the new contract, they will soon begin to receive the A5 variant, which features an improved gas regulator for use with a silencer, a modified lower receiver rim, as well as numerous technical improvements to maximize safety, reliability, ammunition compatibility and a longer service life.
In the fall of 2017, Germany announced the choice of the HK416 rifle in the A7 variant for its ground and naval special forces KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte) and KSM (Kommando Spezialkrafte Marine); rifle under the new designation G95 and will replace the existing G36K rifle. The A7 variant is a further development of the HK416. The main innovations here are the following: a lightweight receiver plate with modular Hkey interfaces, a rifling on the muzzle of the barrel, which made it possible to simplify installation of the muffler, a Cerakote coating for increased abrasion and corrosion resistance, and, finally, a 45 ° fuse between safety and single fire and between single and automatic fire. The 3.7 kg rifle will be delivered with a 14.5 (368 mm) barrel. The contract was for the supply of 1,745 HK416A7 rifles, including accessories; first deliveries are scheduled for early 2019.
Turkey's Kale group is ready to start delivering its 5, 56x45 mm KCR-556 rifle to its country's special forces; the contract provides for the delivery of a "five-digit" quantity, that is, more than 10,000 pieces. However, the matter will not be limited to special forces, since the rifle should be adopted by the presidential guard, the protection of high military officials, as well as the Turkish gendarmerie, responsible for maintaining public order in cases outside the jurisdiction of the police forces. According to available information, the special forces have adopted a version with a barrel length of 7.5 inches, known as the KCR-556 S-I. The same model was to be received by the security services, but in much smaller quantities. Also, the gendarmerie must purchase this option, but only for a part of its military personnel; about 6,000 of these rifles were ordered, while the remaining 15,000 should be in the 11-inch version. The Turkish MTR are also interested in the 12.7mm KSR sniper rifle, which will be available in late 2018, and the 5.56mm MG-556 machine gun, which will be ready for delivery in early 2019.
One of the few news in the larger-caliber small arms industry is the Tavor 7 rifle in caliber 7, 62x51mm. It was developed by Israel Weapons Industries (part of the SK Group specializing in small arms). Apparently, the new model was developed at the request of potential customers, including the MTR. Compared to the 5, 56mm Tavor rifle, the Tavor 7 is actually a new weapon as its bolt action has been completely redesigned. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt on 8 lugs, in contrast to the three stops in a smaller caliber rifle. Fully symmetrical ejection window and loading handle allow partial disassembly in the field with just one cartridge. The gas regulator has four positions: 1 for standard conditions, 2 for difficult conditions, such as sand, mud, etc., 3 when working with a muffler, and 4 when gases cannot operate the shutter mechanism. The latter mode is selected when the Tavor 7 is used as a sniper rifle, typically with a 20-inch (508 mm) barrel. In the standard configuration, the Tavor 7 rifle weighing 4.1 kg without magazine is 723 mm long and a cold forged free floating barrel with a length of 17 inches (432 mm). With a longer barrel, its length does not exceed 800 mm. Deliveries of the Tavor 7 rifle are scheduled for 2018.
Reconnaissance and strike drones
While drones are a major headache for special forces trying to get close to their targets unnoticed, they can be good helpers in many operations.
The number of small drones that could be used by MTR is close to infinity. However, two French students who created a startup Diodon Drone Technologies have developed one unusual solution - an inflatable vertical take-off and landing drone. Structurally, it is built around a central waterproof case that houses the electronics and the battery; attached to it are radiating inflatable rays; thus, the drone is small enough to be transported. The smallest model SP20 measures 200x200x120 mm. The device, carried in a backpack, is inflated using a small compressor, its dimensions are increased to 600x600x120 mm, after which it is ready to fly. Thanks to the fact that all electronics are housed in a waterproof case, as well as inflatable beams, the SP20 drone is fully floating, which, of course, will be of interest to many MTR divisions. This quadcopter has a flight duration of 20 minutes, a flight range of 2 km and can carry a payload of 200 grams. The larger model SP40 with six propellers can carry 400 grams of payload, typically a sensor station, has a flight duration of 30 minutes and a range of 3 km. The ground control station with a maximum range of 10 km is a touchscreen tablet with joysticks that can be used with all Diodon drones; video image, location data and other relevant information are transmitted via an encrypted communication channel.
Recently, some MTR began to actively purchase loitering ammunition, which, in fact, are drones equipped with different warheads depending on the type of target. The Polish supply organization Jednostka Wojskowa Nil, responsible for information collection and operational management, as well as for the purchase of electronics and weapons, receives the first batch of 1,000 WB Electronics Warmate loitering ammunition. This loitering ammunition of an aircraft type with an electric motor has a length of 1.1 meters, a wingspan of 1.4 meters and a take-off weight of 4 kg, one quarter of which weighs a warhead installed in the nose. The warhead is available in two versions: the shaped charge GK-1, which guarantees the penetration of 120-mm rolled homogeneous armor, and the high-explosive fragmentation GQ-1 with a pre-fragmented body containing 300 grams of explosive, which provides a radius of destruction of 10 meters. Regardless of the version, the GS9 stabilized optocoupler / infrared module is installed, which detects, recognizes and identifies targets. The disposable Warmate system, launched by a pneumatic catapult, has a range of 10 km and a flight duration of 30 minutes. The aircraft's speed reaches 150 km / h, and the operating altitude ranges from 30 to 200 meters above ground level. The dimensions and weight of the apparatus allow, if necessary, to carry it in a backpack, which is undoubtedly suitable for special forces. Warmate ammunition was ordered by four countries: of course, this is the developer - Poland, the second buyer - Ukraine, and two more countries are not named by the developer.
The Turkish MTR purchased loitering ammunition from the local company Savunma Teknolojtleri Muhendislik ve Ticaret (STM), which developed two such systems, the Alpagu aircraft type and the Kargu helicopter type. Once prepared, the Alpagu is ready for takeoff in 45 seconds and is launched by a pneumatic square tube device. The takeoff weight is 3.7 kg, the wingspan is 1.23 meters, and the length is 650 mm. After launching, its main wings and tail assembly are deployed, an electric motor is started, which rotates the pushing propeller. Its cruising speed is 58 km / h and its maximum speed is 80 km / h. Alpagu can reach a maximum working height of 400 meters, but the optimum height is claimed to be 150 meters. The device is equipped with day and night sensors; the operator controls the device using a ground control station. In its creation, the experience of STM in the fields of "deep learning" and "big data" was used, which became the basis for the development of artificial intelligence and image processing algorithms that allow Alpagu ammunition to navigate according to data from on-board sensors and detect and classify stationary and moving targets, for example, vehicles or people. With a positive target identification, the Alpagu ammunition dives at a speed of 130 km / h, thus adding its kinetic energy to the explosion energy. A modified hand grenade weighing 500-600 grams produced by MKEK serves as a warhead, but STM is ready to integrate another payload. Quadrocopter Kargu with a takeoff weight of 6, 285 kg is equipped in the bow with an optronic station stabilized along two axes with optical magnification x30. Thanks to this increase, the working height of the device reaches 500 meters. The range and duration of the flight is the same as that of the Alpagu, this also applies to the payload. The maximum flight speed is 72 km / h, when diving, the attack speed reaches 120 km / h. One ground station can simultaneously control two loitering ammunition.
Mobility
Mobility for MTR remains a key issue in all scenarios - in the air, at sea and on the ground. The latter is one of the most important, since most of the operations are completed on land, despite the fact that they often start in the air. Lightweight mobile vehicles are the backbone of many special operations. The largest MTR community in the world - the American command of special operations forces - is no exception, which chose the Flyer 72 car manufactured by General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems for its GMV 1.1 program. As often happens, this vehicle, originally developed for the MTR, is currently being purchased for the army, first to equip brigade combat groups, later additional vehicles will be purchased for light and airborne brigades. Currently, the only foreign customer is Italy, which has ordered 9 machines and 18 more as an option. In March 2018, before the delivery of these new attack armored vehicles, the Italian 9th Col Moshin Parachute Assault Regiment underwent training in the United States.
In the fall of 2014, Polaris unveiled its new Dagor (Deployable Advanced Ground Off-Road) ultralight combat vehicle, which is currently operated by the MTR command and the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as a number of foreign operators, mainly from Europe, the Middle East and North America. In March 2018, Polaris announced a new variant of the Dagor A1. Gross weight increased from 3515 to 3856 kg, and payload from 1474 to 1814 kg. There is no information on the dimensions of the machine; however, the new version can still be transported in the cockpit of a CH-47 helicopter (two cars) and in a CH-53 helicopter (one car), as well as on the suspension of the same helicopters plus on the suspension of a UH-60 helicopter. Off-road mobility has been improved by increasing ground clearance and installing new shock absorbers; the A1 can be parachuted just like the original Dagor. In addition, the A1 configuration includes an in-dash power management screen, enhanced lighting options, integrated cabling, new functionalities and enhancements to extend platform life. In January 2018, the Canadian MTR began receiving the first vehicles from 62 Ultra-Light Combat Vehicles ordered. In fact, these are cars in the A1 version, modified to meet Canadian requirements.
As for Europe, among the latest developments we see the French VLFS (Vehicule Leger Forces Speciales - light vehicle for special forces) of Renault Trucks Defense, whose prototype was presented at the SOFINS 2017 exhibition. 1, 2 tons installed turbocharged diesel engine Iveco with a capacity of 200 hp, coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission. The chassis of this car is based on a tubular structure, it has a length of 4.357 meters, a width of 2.2 meters and a height of 2.04 meters, a wheelbase of 3 meters and a ground clearance of 0.32 meters. The suspension of the VLFS car is dependent - continuous axles with springs / dampers plus pneumatic wheels 275/80 R20. The car develops a speed of 120 km / h on flat surfaces, the maximum cruising range is more than 600 km; it can overcome a slope of 60%, a side slope of 30%, a trench of 0.5 meters, a vertical obstacle of 0.35 meters and a water barrier up to 0.5 meters deep. The vehicle can be transported inside A400M and C-130J aircraft. Optional equipment includes mine and bullet protection, centralized tire pressure control, anti-roll wheels, winch, front guard and wire cutter. In total, the contract provides for the delivery of 243 production vehicles, scheduled for 2019.
At DSA 2019, two Malaysian companies presented their proposals for the MTR tender, which is due to start soon by the Malaysian army and Kernbara Suci and Cendana Auto. Weststar has offered a car based on a Toyota chassis, while Nimr from the UAE is promoting its Nimr RIV armored car for this tender, possibly in conjunction with a local company.
In April, Israel-based Plasan announced the latest addition to its vehicle portfolio, the ultralight Yagu three-seater. With a dry weight of 1480 kg and a payload of 350 kg, a 95 hp engine.provides a specific power of 53 hp / t. The car is based on the Arctic Cat Wildcat 4 1000 chassis with double A-arm front and rear trailing arms for good off-road maneuverability. The Yagu is very compact, only 162 cm wide, with two seats in the front and one in the back in the center; it can be carried on C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. All-aspect protection corresponds to level B6 + (STANAG 4569 level 2, bullets of caliber 5, 56 and 7, 62 mm). The vehicle can be equipped with a light weapons module.
Optoelectronics
One of the latest solutions in this area was presented by the French company CILAS, well known for its family of ground-based laser designators DHY 307. Guided aerial bomb guidance requires at least 70 mJ of energy, and the company's target designators provide more than 80 mJ, which is more than enough to generate required laser power. The mass of a standard designator with a battery is rarely less than 6 kg. However, today most aircraft carry their own designator on board, so aviation spotters are often required to accurately indicate the target for the target designator. For this, 30 mJ is sufficient, which can significantly reduce the weight of the devices. In response to the needs of the French MTR, CILAS has developed the DHY 208 ultra-compact laser designator, which weighs less than 2 kg with a battery and a fire button. The optical identification channel has a magnification of x7; The device complies with the STANAG 3733 standard and features a 750 mW laser pointer. DHY 208 can be used as a laser rangefinder at distances up to 4 km, and can be optionally equipped with GPS and digital compass. When marking a target by an advanced aircraft gunner using this system, the laser beam is captured by the onboard target designator tracking device, which eliminates any guidance errors. CILAS has started production of the DHY 208 but is not supplying it yet.
Connection
In March 2018, Harris announced the launch of the AN / PRC-163 handheld radio, also known as the "Army radio". It provides simultaneous dual-channel operation to maintain contact with the lower and upper echelons. One channel can operate in the UHF band (225-450 MHz) and L / S bands (1, 3-2, 6 GHz), while the second can operate in the UHF and VHF bands (225-512 MHz), the system satellite communications MUOS (Mobile User Objective System), UHF-band satellite communications and can be used as a warning device when detecting radio frequency traffic in the range of 30-2600 MHz. The programmable radio station supports several different communication protocols, narrow and broadband transmission, transmission of encrypted voice messages and data.
Output power ranges from 250mW to 5W in VHF / UHF mode and 10W in satellite mode. The radio can withstand immersion to a depth of 20 meters, has a mass of 1.33 kg with a battery, whose service life is estimated at 6-7 hours with the simultaneous operation of both channels. The AN / PRC-163 draws on the experience Harris has gained with the STC radio, designed to meet the stringent requirements of the US MTR. The company hopes that the new radio station will be popular with MTRs in other countries.
Situational awareness is a multispectral business, and the RF spectrum often confirms what other sensors have found. In order to provide the special forces with basic electronic warfare equipment, the two companies have recently released compact warning devices for signal transmission. The Turkish company Aselsan has developed the Meerkat spectrum monitoring system, which operates in the 20-6000 MHz range and is controlled by devices running on the Android OS. A small device with dimensions of 65x100x22 mm and weighing 500 grams without a battery has a built-in GPS system; it can also be equipped with hidden / camouflaged antennas. The Danish company MyDefence offers its Wingman 101 system, capable of receiving signals in the 70-6000 MHz range and giving the operator an audible, vibration or visual warning. Algorithms capable of detecting and classifying radio frequency exchange between UAVs can be built into both systems.
