Made-in-S'pore smart weapons
-
Unveiled: Singapore Technologies Engineering, one of the world's top arm developers, got to shrut its stuff at the recent aerospace show
By Felix Soh
THE enemy can run - but can't hide.
The new products by its subsidiary companies - ST Kinetics, ST Marine, ST Electronics and ST Aerospace - were unveiled for the first time at the recent Asian Aerospace 2004 show.
They reflect the growing technological sophistication and ground-breaking innovation of made-in-Singapore weapons.
One that created a buzz at Asian Aerospace was the Stars Wars-like Squad Support Weapon (SSW), which integrates a 40mm grenade launcher into a rifle as a single, seamless handheld weapon.
The revolutionary dual-calibre weapon, still under development, is designed for urban warfare, which is easily the most deadly and difficult type of combat operations today as the ongoing conflict in Iraq shows.
The SSW equips foot soldiers with lethal firepower. Its next-generation programmable 40mm Air Bursting Munition, a world's first in cutting-edge technology, can hit enemy troops concealed behind windows or on rooftops.
The weapon's ability to hit targets beyond the reach of conventional ammunition extends to enemies hidden in bunkers and caves.
Another product that attracted much attention at the air show was the Fantail, a mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ideal for use in urban missions.
It can hover over an area to give a 'god's-eye' perspective to infantrymen in a variety of battlefield scenarios.
Equipped with a day, low-light or night camera, the Fantail provides over-the-hill, around-the-corner and over-the-next-building surveillance and reconnaissance. When fitted with chemical sensors, it can detect a chemical attack and track the source.
And it is not just for war fighting. The mini-UAV has law enforcement and civil defence applications as well. For example, it can observe a forest fire from positions that would be too risky for humans.
Also well-received at the air show was the launch of Maps - Maritime, Aviation and Port Security Solution - which generated much interest from visitors because of concern over the vulnerability of ports to terrorist attacks from the sea.
The integrated Maps system provides vital installations such as ports, petroleum refineries, seaside resorts and oil rigs with automated surveillance, detection, assessment and immediate response to threats.
It offers 24-hour, all-weather surveillance cover for ports and their cargoes with a panoply of sensors like radars, sonars, day and night video cameras - and even intelligent fences with intrusion and motion detectors.
'Maps is a cost-effective system because it reduces manning levels,' said Mr Lee Fook Sun, ST Electronics' president of defence and international business.
'Only a limited number of people are needed to manage multiple threats.'
One new product that made many heads turn was the Spider Light Strike Vehicle.
The six-seater is probably the world's only centre-wheel drive vehicle - with the steering wheel and driver's seat positioned in the centre in the front, with two other seats on either side.
What next? Even smarter weapons and systems.
Said Mr Sew Chee Jhuen, ST Kinetics' executive vice-president for defence business: 'We are developing smarter munitions, guided weapons and putting more intelligence into vehicles.
'We are also more network-centric, that is, further enhancing the situational awareness of commanders.'
Stealthy, unmanned weapons and systems will also be a main area of focus. 'The future will see more autonomous vehicles and other equipment that can navigate by themselves and give soldiers a forward view without endangering any lives,' said Mr Sew. 'Robots will be big.'
--ST
the SSW truly sounds interesting! too bad canot post the picture here. -
let me do the honours... here it is.
really can't tell much from the small pic.. looks very star-wars like and futuristic, but that counts for nothing if it jams or doesn't stand the rigours of field conditions.
also, the ammo utilized seems a little primitive compared to the OICW... why ST still using 40mm grenades? the OICW had found the 20mm to be very effective as well. and cos its small, u can put it in a mag.
i can't see how u can put 40mm grenades in a mag on this weapon... anyone knows? or is it a breech-loading system?
and the "fire control systemm".. anyone got any info on it? wonder if its along the lines of what the OICW is capable of...
heh... and any idea how much it weighs?
-
Akan datang..
An e squad weapon that allows you to watch TV, surf internet and pay your bills online...... -
according to ST it weights 6 kg with full load of 4 x 40 mm and 20 x 5.7 mm rounds.Originally posted by CX:let me do the honours... here it is.
really can't tell much from the small pic.. looks very star-wars like and futuristic, but that counts for nothing if it jams or doesn't stand the rigours of field conditions.
also, the ammo utilized seems a little primitive compared to the OICW... why ST still using 40mm grenades? the OICW had found the 20mm to be very effective as well. and cos its small, u can put it in a mag.
i can't see how u can put 40mm grenades in a mag on this weapon... anyone knows? or is it a breech-loading system?
and the "fire control systemm".. anyone got any info on it? wonder if its along the lines of what the OICW is capable of...
heh... and any idea how much it weighs? -
Originally posted by wuming78:according to ST it weights 6 kg with full load of 4 x 40 mm and 20 x 5.7 mm rounds.
that's quite a lot of weight to bring out field...
and u mean u can put 4 x 40mm into that thing? yikes... just not used to picturing the 40mm used that way... its too chunky... -
erm. lug 6kg of guns here and there? by the time u wanna use dem, already bo lad to lift up e damn thing liao, much less aim...
-
high speed uav, "70kts"
-
haha... i guess this wont be the std issue so shud be ok lor..Originally posted by Groovee:erm. lug 6kg of guns here and there? by the time u wanna use dem, already bo lad to lift up e damn thing liao, much less aim... -
hmmm... one thing i did forget to consider with regards to the wait... its not really the weight that matters... its the weight distribution.
if its a well balaced weapon, it might not actually be that bad... -
hm.. true.. i guess it has to be so tt it could be used effectively. the weight itself - well. the guys would jus haf to get used to it. but i am thinking wif tt kind of weight, the firing positions would be more limited than normal small arms?Originally posted by CX:hmmm... one thing i did forget to consider with regards to the wait... its not really the weight that matters... its the weight distribution.
if its a well balaced weapon, it might not actually be that bad... -
It's a support weapon, not everybody's gonna use it...
-
Having been an MG gunner on airfiend assaults, I can say with the deepest of feeling that I pity the poor sod stuck with that monster.
-
Ahmen to thatOriginally posted by Gedanken:Having been an MG gunner on airfiend assaults, I can say with the deepest of feeling that I pity the poor sod stuck with that monster. -
Originally posted by laurence82:Akan datang..
An e squad weapon that allows you to watch TV, surf internet and pay your bills online......
-
Think you guys should know how heavy is an M203-M16S1 rifle is during ATEC. Normal weight of M203 is 4.8kg, add one miles set grenade launcher, add one miles set that you attach to the barrel of the M16S1 and add a LAD. My PC(he's carrying a SAR21 with no miles set) have the cheek to ask us not to sling our rifle when attacking upwards an objective and expectedly, noone listen to him. With the weight concentrating at the front, it's the heaviest section weapon. Pity me~.Originally posted by Gedanken:Having been an MG gunner on airfiend assaults, I can say with the deepest of feeling that I pity the poor sod stuck with that monster. -
MG weight distribution is different lah... misleading to compare this way...Originally posted by Gedanken:Having been an MG gunner on airfiend assaults, I can say with the deepest of feeling that I pity the poor sod stuck with that monster. -
law oso very heavy. and v. din dehOriginally posted by jacobs:Think you guys should know how heavy is an M203-M16S1 rifle is during ATEC. Normal weight of M203 is 4.8kg, add one miles set grenade launcher, add one miles set that you attach to the barrel of the M16S1 and add a LAD. My PC(he's carrying a SAR21 with no miles set) have the cheek to ask us not to sling our rifle when attacking upwards an objective and expectedly, noone listen to him. With the weight concentrating at the front, it's the heaviest section weapon. Pity me~. -
ATEC?? what about coy support weapon???? 84 more die right. haha.. carry that stupid thing. hahaOriginally posted by wuming78:law oso very heavy. and v. din deh -
Anyone knows what the establishment of this weapon is going to be? I assume it's going to be a replacement for the M203/M16, so quite a number of men are going to be saddled with this monstrosity...
I agree, they really should look into miniaturising the 40mm airburst round to 20mm, just like the US has done. And yeah, shame on Sing Tech for the self-promoting misrepresentation...the SSW's airburst round is hardly a "world first" - the OICW's airburst grenade has been used in general field tests for years already. -
Soon to come....
Squad weapon that allows you to capture upskirts, oops, uphill battles pictures and send it immediately like MMS to battle commanders
Combining PDA, 3G handphones and digital TV, you can also send pictures of yourself with your kills to your company mates at the next hill, "Hey, Ah Seng, look at this, I just kill one enemy, here is his body!" , call your friend who is in the rear support "Tamade, you guys are lucky, we are being picked off here one by one", watch stocks plunge as the war continues...and post real life war topics on sgforums as you fight!
Batteries not included. -
Haha, 84mm miles set is lighter than the real thing. After the walk to the objectives, their job is done. Even if they have to set their firebase on top of some freaking knoll, they can "take their time". For the LAW, i must say it's really irritating to the gunner. My parang was secured at the back of my SBO, and it got hooked onto the branches at times. So when we are doing our fire and movement, dashing with LAW and M203 through the bushes, proning and running upslope. Who is in a worse situation? :]Originally posted by I-like-flings(m):ATEC?? what about coy support weapon???? 84 more die right. haha.. carry that stupid thing. haha -
CX - well, there is weight distribution to consider, but after running up and down a runway a couple of times, anything heavier than an M16 is going to be a cast-iron sonuvabitch anyway.Originally posted by CX:MG weight distribution is different lah... misleading to compare this way... -
Why not have a war with each soldier using a Nokia Ngage?Originally posted by laurence82:Soon to come....
Squad weapon that allows you to capture upskirts, oops, uphill battles pictures and send it immediately like MMS to battle commanders
Combining PDA, 3G handphones and digital TV, you can also send pictures of yourself with your kills to your company mates at the next hill, "Hey, Ah Seng, look at this, I just kill one enemy, here is his body!" , call your friend who is in the rear support "Tamade, you guys are lucky, we are being picked off here one by one", watch stocks plunge as the war continues...and post real life war topics on sgforums as you fight!
Batteries not included. -
yah.. 84 gunners are not required to carry it and run around and fight. so yes its heavier but not so jialat in a sense.Originally posted by jacobs:Haha, 84mm miles set is lighter than the real thing. After the walk to the objectives, their job is done. Even if they have to set their firebase on top of some freaking knoll, they can "take their time". For the LAW, i must say it's really irritating to the gunner. My parang was secured at the back of my SBO, and it got hooked onto the branches at times. So when we are doing our fire and movement, dashing with LAW and M203 through the bushes, proning and running upslope. Who is in a worse situation? :] -
eh?! replace da M16 203 ?! har?! wTfiaks?! m16 203 feels more comfy and lighter plus more ergonomic fer ppl with long arms like moi.