UK defense matters

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totoro

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I guess this threat can be used for any UK defense related discussion but I've got a very specific question to start it off.
www.telegraph.co.uk

UK will send long-range weapons to keep Russian troops on the run in Ukraine

Further lethal aid announced as MoD calls for national effort to boost Britain's nuclear weapons stocks in light of Vladimir Putin’s threats
www.telegraph.co.uk www.telegraph.co.uk

It is claimed in the above article that UK will sent loitering munitions like drones to Ukraine. So, my question is - what what kind of loitering munitions could those be?
What sort of loitering munitions or suicide drones does UK even have right now?
I'm not aware of any. It doesn't have switchblade drones, to my knowledge. Nor any kind of similar drone.

The closest thing would perhaps be the Israeli made sourced Spike NLOS missile system - that's really just a long range, slow missile. Not really a drone nor a proper loitering munition.
And even if those are the systems in question - what sort of political barriers must first be addressed with Israel - would UK be able to just give those systems to a third party without prior approval?
 
I wasn't aware we [the UK] had any loitering munitions? I'd just got over the whole Fire Shadow 'thing' and now I'm reminded of it again...
 
TomS said:
The UK supposedly bought some Switchblades last year.
Click to expand...
Think we also trialled some UVision Hero as well, not sure which model though...one of the smaller ones probably the 30
 
shedofdread said:
Well, just so long as they don't end being as expensive as FireShadow....

("WHAT? That's the price for just the WING??? You're 'avin' a laugh!" etc etc ;) )
Click to expand...
I never managed to find out what the target price of a Fireshadow was, any ideas? Given we only made 25 of them and paid for the entire development and test programme I expect the cost per round was rather high...
 
Can't speak to the target cost but I know the wings alone cost [from Marshalls) about the same as an NLAW round...
There were other options available to them to get the wings [and other composite parts] done much cheaper but they went with who they did. 'Why?' - well, that's anyone's guess. I had a feeling it was going to be less than a success from the industry day (all the usual suspects with their 'optimistic invoicing structure' ;) ).
 
What about the artillery the uk is sending to Ukraine? There weren't any details published concerning those. Media speculated it could be AS90 but some towed artillery pieces might be more likely. Could anyone try to surmise which type might it be?
Then again, I guess it might also be some large mortars as well...
 
I think Slovakia us sending some Suzana SPGs. But like extent artillery in Ukraine it's 152mm....
 
Have we really got any artillery to spare?
 
Hood said:
Have we really got any artillery to spare?
Click to expand...

There's some rumors that it's MLRS being sent. Were any surplused in the recent upgrade process?
 
Another question.
When brimstone missile is fired from a truck, in non line of sight mode, how is it guided?
Does it have GPS? INS ?
And does it then, as it flies towards the target location, recognize a target on its own and does it lock into the target on its own?
 
totoro said:
Another question.
When brimstone missile is fired from a truck, in non line of sight mode, how is it guided?
Does it have GPS? INS ?
And does it then, as it flies towards the target location, recognize a target on its own and does it lock into the target on its own?
Click to expand...
As you will see here, Brimstone is a fully fire-and-forget system, requiring no further interaction from the launch platform or a post-launch target designator.
 
TomS said:
There's some rumors that it's MLRS being sent. Were any surplused in the recent upgrade process?
Click to expand...
We did have c70 at one point, but only 42 odd were given the full GMLRS treatment (and are now getting upgraded further to handle PrSM. To be honest I don't think the RA would allow them to go...but the US and Germany have a lot of M2701A1 in stock...

Don't think there are any FH-70 left around either, M109 all gone as well.

Hopefully the current conflict will make us have a good look at disposals again...we get rid of kit far too soon for peanuts and attrition is a real thing in war...

By all accounts MoD Surplus sales have totally stopped since the start of the war...but you still get items like this arriving at Witham's. Apparently 'NATO' stock, not UK (LHD)...bet the Ukrainian's would love to get hold of some....4 x Oshkosh HET with mileage from 5073 miles...basically barely run in...

www.mod-sales.com

MOD Sales Online - Military Vehicles and ex MOD Land Rovers for sale

We sell ex MOD Land Rovers, Military Vehicles, Earth Moving Plant in our online auctions, tenders and sales.
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Or this...how on earth does a 2008 MAN truck only get 193km on the clock! Thought we were rotating them...

www.mod-sales.com

MOD Sales Online - Military Vehicles and ex MOD Land Rovers for sale

We sell ex MOD Land Rovers, Military Vehicles, Earth Moving Plant in our online auctions, tenders and sales.
www.mod-sales.com www.mod-sales.com
 
GTX said:
totoro said:
Another question.
When brimstone missile is fired from a truck, in non line of sight mode, how is it guided?
Does it have GPS? INS ?
And does it then, as it flies towards the target location, recognize a target on its own and does it lock into the target on its own?
Click to expand...
As you will see here, Brimstone is a fully fire-and-forget system, requiring no further interaction from the launch platform or a post-launch target designator.
Click to expand...
Range isn't mentioned in that article. Does anyone know?
 
OliverSedlacek said:
GTX said:
totoro said:
Another question.
When brimstone missile is fired from a truck, in non line of sight mode, how is it guided?
Does it have GPS? INS ?
And does it then, as it flies towards the target location, recognize a target on its own and does it lock into the target on its own?
Click to expand...
As you will see here, Brimstone is a fully fire-and-forget system, requiring no further interaction from the launch platform or a post-launch target designator.
Click to expand...
Range isn't mentioned in that article. Does anyone know?
Click to expand...

See the thread 'MBDA' Brimstone' https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/mbda-brimstone.4720/post-532469
 

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