Britain shapes military forces for maritime power projection

Article Abstract:

The UK's recently concluded Strategic Defense Review emphasizes the build-up of maritime forces, particulary calling for the use of large-deck aircraft carriers. The new strategy sees more threats and possible conflicts in littoral areas than in the open seas. This new battlefield scenario places a premium on rapid deployment operations and power projection. To satisfy these requirements, the Royal Navy is aiming to replace its three smaller aircraft carriers with two bigger carriers beginning 2012. The UK has also joined the development and concept demonstration phase of the US Joint Strike Fighter, which is a strong contender for deployment on the two carriers.

International politics, National Security, Defense Analysis, Military readiness, Military planning

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Marines' precise Dragon Fire rains deadly steel against distant targets

Article Abstract:

A prototype of the US Marine Corps Dragon Fire unmanned mortar system has begun firing demonstrations at the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico, VA, in September 1998. The 17-month experimental demonstration program incorporates several advances in technology from a number of nations and other US armed services. The autonomous 120-mm rifled mortar features a rifled mortar barrel from TDA, a joint Franco-German company, and an advanced digital fire control system from Allied Signal of Teterboro, NJ. In addition to unmanned fire missions, Dragon Fire could also be mounted on top of light armored vehicles to engage targets within an 8-mile radius.

United States, Other Ordnance and Accessories Manufacturing, Mortars, over 75mm, Mortars (Artillery), Dragon Fire

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Surveillance soars

Article Abstract:

The UK's airborne standoff radar (ASTOR) system has elicited interest from more than 20 countries, mostly in North American Treaty Organization-Europe and the Middle East. ASTOR, which uses an active phased array antenna, is designed to satisfy the UK Ministry of Defense's requirements for triservice, long-range, standoff surface surveillance. The system features both synthetic aperture radar mode and moving target indicator mode. The latter allows the detection of vehicles down to low velocities, while the former provides high-resolution imagery of non-moving objects.

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing, Airborne Search & Detect Radar, Search radar, Airborne radar, ASTOR

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