Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1281650
observation cameras, and, what's most important, second KF Harris RF-300U-TR Facon II, or Harris RF-5800H radio, coupled with a SIGNCARS and AFTS (blue forces tracking) terminal, and Honeywell TALIN 3000 INS navigation unit. Only after hardware above is installed, the vehicles become capable of conducting ops on a modern, net-centric battlefield. The communications assets configured in a manner described above allow the crews to freely switch between different networks, whereas the lack of a panoramic observation system for the commander is still a major deficiency. Coming back to the series manufactured Rosomak vehicles with the Hitfist-30P turret system, the above description gives us a clear view as to why the vehicle's reputation varies among the users. Any crew that transitioned to Rosomak from the BWP-1 may consider the Polish wheeled IFV as a state-of-the-art platform. Crews trained from the ground up are equally satisfied. Meanwhile, the crews transitioning from the Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks that are 30 years old consider the Hitfist-30P firepower and its FCS to be disappointing. The issues include the poor situational awareness of the commander, limited target designation capacity, and imperfect gun stabilizer, with the firing solution adjustment applied to the reticle, not to the actual Bushmaster movement. TRENDS SUMMARIZED The development trends around the world are clear. Most of the manufacturers tend to take steps towards unmanned turrets fitted with at least 30 mm automatic cannons capable of firing programmable munitions. The great variety of unmanned designs usually stems from the weight limitations imposed in the case of the IFV/ APC upgrades. Notably, in case of the APCs fitted with turrets featuring a cannon, we may speak of a transformation, from an APC into a wheeled IFV. The unmanned turrets can have weaker armor and thus be lighter, without a decrease of the crew safety (with the crew seated within the hull). However, turrets as such are also much more prone to combat damage. However, the requirement to minimize the turret weight (also imposing the turret's being unmanned) is very useful when the designers want to retain the amphibious capability of the platform - as in the case of the Russian (Kurganets 25) and Polish (Borsuk IFV) designs. The unmanned turrets also reduce the total weight of the vehicle (which is evident in the case of the Spz Puma, Namer, or in case of the Bradley upgrades). If no weight savings are required, and situational awareness is one of the top priorities, manned turrets are still the way to go - as in the case of the British Ajax platform for instance. Currently, a 30 mm gun seems to be the bare minimum. Nonetheless, over recent years a trend could have been witnessed to increase the caliber. This creates several disadvantages - primarily when it comes to the limited and reduced quantity of ammunition carried and ready for use. The matter of total ammunition quantity is fluid, due to the pragmatism exhibited by the troops who do not care about the theoretical calculations, showing that the vehicles could carry major quantities of extra rounds. Well-defined trends can also be witnessed when it comes to the fire control systems, with the IFV solutions reaching the level, capability- and price- wise, represented by the FCS of modern main battle tanks. Fully stabilized periscope sight for the commander is also becoming a standard. It usually is coupled with a thermal imaging system and laser range- finder of its own, creating redundancy with the gunner's sight. Everything is just a part of a multi-sensor fire control system that automatically develops a firing solution for the cannon. Anti-tank capabilities are usually provided through the integration of a dual ATGM launcher. www.fragoutmag.com