Frag Out! Magazine

unmanned VTOL aerial vehicle is designed as a reconnaissance drone for surface patrol craft. According to the recent flyer the operating range is 5 km and 90 minutes. The ATRAX was displayed both statically, a t the booth, and (on the second day of show) in flight, launched from a small floating craft in gusts, the UAV was perfectly controllable in flight. helicopter. This substantial machine (1100 kg weight, with 300 kg payload, with operating range of 450 km) is a multi-purpose unmanned aerial platform, variations were shown, patrol-reconnaissance and combat support (with remote operated weapons, including the WLKM and missiles) At Balt-Mil- ASW patrol craft with an on-board MAD and sonobuoys dispenser. Initial testing proved that the ILX-27 generates much less interference than larger these is Swedish AUV62AT presented by SAAB. This proposition sorts out the mine hunter role demanded from planned patrol ships – just like the the Kormoran II. Their tasks include autonomous underwater patrolling in search of dangerous items, threatening the security of navigation. Thales or proven by their booths. The Swedish company also showcased the Sea Giraffe 4 maritime radar, emitting in S-Band. Due to miniaturized components, rpm. This is a long-range station, detecting aerial targets at 100 km distance, capable of tracking very fast objects, including artillery shells. suppliers were conspicuously absent. One of the few exceptions was BAE Systems, who presented the 40 mm Mk.4 automatic cannon – a multi-purpose armament) and crafts (as main battery). Due to compact size and light weight, as well as multifunctional, programmable 3P ammunition, the Mk 4 defense systems of 20-30 mm caliber range. programmable radio, designed in cooperation with international partners, and capable of being another export hit for the company. This is a dedicated signal conversion capability. present and accounted for – contrary to the Air-Fair Show (see other FO! feature in this issue). Unfortunately, no one of them had a real helo, just second day was hastily called-off. Certainly presence of all main competitors, who recently (30 May) were invited to make offers was an opportunity resulted, except for Sikorsky's offer to sell Poland the earlier S-70B naval helicopters instead of the new MH-60R model. No use to cry over that, Spanish) decided to follow suit, and the S-70B is better suited to naval needs anyway. Moreover, the new S-70Bs make a maximum use of unified compo- little different from them. On the bright idea of substituting more CSARs for SAR slots nobody was inclined to comment. Small wonder, as the Naval twice the price: USAF HH-60M CSAR Black Hawks were sold at a unit cost of USD 33.2 million, while USCG SAR-level HH-60J Jayhawks were sold curious decision in one of the future Frag Out! issues. would be in two years, in mid-2016. At that time, according to the press releases, the Polish Navy should be on the brink of accepting the first ships choice of suppliers in the most urgent programs – Orka, Czapla, and Miecznik. What would that mean to the show? Nothing optimistic: the halls would be earlier as well. Forget even the ship models. Sudden rush towards modernization of the Navy after years of neglect have cumulated decision making between the 13th and 14th Show. After the decisions are made, the money would be concentrated to finish the already started programs – stranding the very sense of organizing the specialized trade fair – especially if most exhibitors would meet again in Kielce, where they (regularly, annually) REPORT

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