http://www.defense-aerospace.com/afp/defense/030505084541.7c1rixg6.html
Russian army opens probe into violence after 14 soldiers desert

MOSCOW, May 5 (AFP) - 08:45 GMT - Russian military investigators open a probe Monday after 14 soldiers deserted in reaction to alleged brutality, a military spokesman said.
The conscripts deserted from their base at Vladikavkaz, capital of the southern Russian republic of North Ossetia, on Sunday but were arrested a few hours later, having remained nearby, the spokesman said, as quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency.

The testimony of these soldiers alleging violence against them has been confirmed. Two sergeants are to face a criminal investigation, he said.

由於飛機與快速移動的飛彈呈現在雷達上是大不相同，「愛國者」系統怎麼可能受騙？陸軍和業界部分主要的專家現在都懷疑，電磁干擾是原因之一。他們認為，幾部「愛國者」雷達安放的位置極為接近，以及基地砲兵雷達、空中偵測感應器和戰機干擾器等其他電子裝備集中安置，都可能造成電磁干擾。

伊拉克戰爭期間負責美國空防的陸軍准將布隆柏（Howard Bromberg）說：「這是我們所見過最密集的戰場，我相信那裡可能有些什麼。這是我個人的想法。」

然而，布隆柏和其他官員提醒說，此一調查距離結束還早得很。一位曾聽取初步調查結果簡報的消息人士說，雷達干擾只可能解釋兩樁意外事件之一。他表示，造成另一樁意外的因素包括該戰機並未傳達適當的辨識密碼、以及「愛國者」系統根據速度、高度、彈道和其他特性用來辨識目標的設定不當。

但是一名美國空軍飛行員認為他的Ｆ十六噴射戰鬥機已被伊拉克雷達鎖定為目標而對那加福南方大約三十哩處的「愛國者」雷達發射一枚飛彈的第三樁意外事件，加強了「愛國者」只是發生系統方面普通故障的說法。

布隆柏在科威特接受電話訪問時說：「有三樁這樣的意外事件，它們之間一定有某種相關性。」

若沒有這些烏龍攻擊事件，美國陸軍當局認為「愛國者」系統的表現可圈可點。自一九九一年波斯灣戰爭首度啟用作為反飛彈武器以來，美國軍方已花費三十億美元改良其追蹤裝置及飛彈性能。

為了避免一九九一年波灣戰後宣稱成功的自我膨脹說法，美國陸軍表示，這次他們研究了飛彈接戰的錄影帶，並且在沙漠中搜尋攔截到的敵人飛彈碎片。這些證據證實「愛國者」系統摧毀了它們瞄準的所有九枚伊拉克飛彈--不是薩默德二型就是Ababil-100飛彈。

伊拉克這次並未發射一九九一年戰爭期間威脅美軍和以色列、射程較遠的「飛毛腿」飛彈。

Interfax-AVN military news agency web site, Moscow, in English 1209 gmt 5 May 03
Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax-AVN web site

Moscow, 5 May: Russia and Ukraine are conducting a dialogue on pooling efforts to develop an advanced battle tank. We are conducting a dialogue with Ukraine on developing a 21st century tank. At the moment, I cannot name any practical steps, but our meetings with Ukrainian partners at the arms show in Brazil confirmed the mutual readiness to launch joint work in this direction, deputy chairman of the Committee for Military-Technical Cooperation with Foreign States Vladimir Paleshchuk told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday 5 May .

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/data/communiques/data/2003May15701/index.htm
Exponent Awarded US Army Contract For Battlefield Robots

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/data/communiques/data/2003May15707/index.htm
Raytheon Wins $15M For Precision Attack Missile Contract

HANOI, May 9 (AFP) - 04:49 GMT - A team of senior Lao army logistics officers is in Vietnam on a seven-day visit for talks with their close communist counterparts, the defence ministry said Friday.
Headed by the armys logistics director, Major General Suphet Phayvisit, the Lao delegation arrived on Wednesday.

The following day Suphet met with his Vietnamese counterpart Major General Tran Phuoc and Defence Minister Pham Van Tra, the ministry said.

The visit comes less than three weeks after an attack on a bus in Laos which left at least 12 people dead, and follows talks between Tra and Major General Kenekham Senglathone, the Lao armys chief of staff, on April 23.

A Vietnamese defence ministry official said this latest visit was an annual exchange aimed at examining the result of mutual assistance and cooperation between the two departments.

Vietnam maintains close relations with its impoverished western neighbour. Hanoi aided communist Pathet Lao rebels during the US Central Intelligence Agencys (CIA) secret war in Laos during the 1960s.

No details were provided of the talks, but diplomatic sources said it was likely the April 20 ambush of a bus on the road between Vientiane and the northern Lao city of Luang Prabang would have been discussed.

There has been speculation in both Hanoi and Vientiane that Laos might ask its communist ally for help in restoring security.

No one has claimed responsibility for the ambush, the second in the area in less than three months.

The government has blamed it on bandits in line with its repeated insistence that there is no insurgency problem in Laos.

Many diplomats and analysts, however, believe the two attacks were the work of desperate Hmong rebels trying to draw international attention to their plight.

Thousands of Hmong, a tribal hill people, were recruited by the CIA to fight in support of US forces during the prolonged Vietnam conflict that spilled over into Laos and Cambodia.

Abandoned by their US paymasters in 1973, they have maintained a low level insurgency ever since, despite attempts by the Lao and Vietnamese military to crush them.

（中央社記者鍾行憲台北十三日電）「華盛頓時報」今天報導，北韓軍方曾在三月間對巡邏劃分南北韓非軍事區的兩架美國陸軍直昇機發射雷射，美國官員稱之為一項挑釁行動。

報導指出，美國陸軍兩架阿帕契攻擊直昇機在三月初曾遭到具有中共雷射槍特性的一項武器以雷射照射，這顯示北韓業已部署一種可能致命的新武器。

雷射光束目前是用於某些導引系統，但是中共的雷射槍是能在三哩之外的距離造成眼睛傷害的一種武器。

在國防官員向「華盛頓時報」透露之前，美國軍方一直對此事保密。目前無法確知此一事件是否已在美國、南韓與北韓軍事官員在板門店停戰村定期舉行的會議中提出討論。

兩架阿帕契直昇機在三月遭到雷射照射，適逢四架北韓噴射戰機攔截一架美國偵察機之時。

四架北韓米格二十九與米格二十三當時試圖迫使正在朝鮮半島外海一百五十哩上空飛行的一架無武裝美國RC-135 在北韓降落。北韓戰機也曾以熱追蹤空對空飛彈威脅美國偵察機。

華盛頓時報報導說，北韓這個武器具有中國所發展的雷射槍特性，而這次事件顯示，北韓已部署一種新式且具有潛在殺傷力的武器。

報導說，雷射一般的軍事用途是武器的導引，但中國發展出的雷射槍可以在三哩 (約五公里）的範圍內損害敵軍的視力。

報導引述駐南韓美軍發言人泰勒的話說，兩架美軍「阿帕契」直升機在非軍事區附近進行例行演練時，機上偵測器顯示飛機遭雷射照射。美軍機員並未在事件中受傷，機上設備也未受損。

泰勒說，北韓部隊不時會在非軍事區一帶使用雷射裝置，主要是用於偵測距離和武器導引。但報導引述未具名美國情報官員的話說，美方內部分析顯示，北韓已取得中國發展出的ZM-87雷射武器。

報導說，這是世界上唯一用來對付人員的雷射武器，它可以在兩哩 (約三點二公里）的距離內對人眼造成損害。如果配備特別的加強裝置，有效射程可達三哩。

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/05/14/stories/2003051405020100.htm
Centre, States differ on deployment of Army

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=46414435
Thermal imagers a hit among troops

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=46081777
Army to induct multiple-launch rocket systems
RAJAT PANDIT

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2003 07:38:04 PM ]

NEW DELHI: The Army is all set to augment its existing arsenal with some lethal high-volume firepower. It will soon induct multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), which can fire a salvo of rockets in minutes to annihilate enemy targets beyond the range of conventional artillery.

The two major rocket artillery systems, with a quick-reaction time and a high rate of fire, to be inducted include the indigenous medium-range Pinaka MLRS and the long-range Russian Smerch MLRS.

While the rocket systems currently used by the Army have a strike range of only around 20 km, Pinaka has an extended range of 20-40 km. It can fire a variety of warheads ranging from pre-fragmented high explosives to anti-tank and anti-personnel minelets. The 300mm Smerch system, in turn, can flatten targets up to 70 km away.

The Army is already setting up artillery divisions, which include missile groups to handle the Prithvi and Agni ballistic missiles as well as rocket-cum-target acquisition units. ``The new rocket systems will be integrated with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to provide a whole new dimension to artillery, said an officer.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief V K Aatre on Sunday said Pinaka had hit the ``bulls eye during the Armys confirmatory trials in July 2002. ``Orders for two regiments, worth approximately Rs 1,100 crore, are expected shortly, he said.

As for Smerch, final negotiations are in progress with Russia for the purchase of 18 launchers, after extensive high-altitude and desert tests in India, say sources. The total cost is estimated to be over Rs 1,000 crore.

DRDO officials say Pinaka has the capability of firing ``12 rockets in a single salvo, with 1.2 tonne of high explosives, in less than 40 seconds. The MLRS consists of 214mm calibre rockets, launcher vehicle, command post vehicle and loader-cum-replenishment vehicle.

　　來自最新一期《兵器知識》的報道，《簡氏防務周刊》報道稱，巴基斯坦展出
了其改型T-59坦克，這种坦克是与中國北方工業公司共同完成的，稱其為AL-Zarrar，
對T-59坦克的火力系統和裝甲防護都進行了改進，125毫米滑膛炮取代了100毫米線
膛炮。其它改進方面還 有：影像穩定火控系統、爆炸反應裝甲、半自動裝填系統、
懸挂裝置、滅火和爆炸消聲系統以及730馬力的動力裝置。

BBC Monitoring International Reports
May 16, 2003
INDIA PROVIDES HELICOPTERS TO ROYAL NEPAL ARMY

(New China News Agency)

Kathmandu, 16 May: Two India-made light combat Lancer helicopters provided
by the Indian government to Nepal arrived here Thursday 15 May , according
to a Nepali defence official.

The Indian government provided the copters to the Royal Nepal Army (RNA)
with the understanding reached by the two countries, The Himalayan Times
newspaper on Friday quoted the official as saying.

According to the understanding, 70 per cent of the military hardwares
charge will be provided by the Indian government as grants to Nepal, while
the remaining 30 per cent charge should be paid by the Nepali side, the
official said on condition of anonymity.

The two helicopters will be formally delivered to the RNA next week, he
added.

The Lancer helicopter, a modified version of the Cheetah helicopter, is
specifically designed for paramilitary surveillance, police patrolling,
intimidation and harassment of enemy troops and against light armour.

The helicopter has light-weight composite armour protection for the pilot
seats, control linkages below the cabin floor and the bottom surface of the
fuel tank. The cabin canopy consists of a number of toughened glass panels
placed at sharp angles so as to reduce the possibility of small arms fire
hitting on any surface of the canopy.

It is best suited for operations particularly in mountain areas and thick
jungles, and also for providing close support to the ground forces.

A decision expected this week by the Pentagon could lead to a next-generation artillery system being built in Elgin.

The town of about 1,000 had been selected by defense contractor United Defense as the future production home of the Armys Crusader system, but that system was scrapped by the Bush administration in favor of a lighter, leaner cannon.

United Defense is now trying to adapt the technology gained from its Crusader program to that of a long-range, non-line-of-sight cannon system that is part of the Pentagons Future Combat Systems.

A decision on the FCS program is expected Wednesday at a defense acquisition board meeting. If the program is approved, Elgin will be on its way toward becoming the site for building and testing the cannon.

We fully expect the defense acquisition board to make the approval, United Defense spokesman Jeff Van Keuren told The Daily Oklahoman. And we fully anticipate coming to Elgin where we would assemble and test the new system.

United Defense, based in Arlington, Va., began developing the cannon in August after winning a $27 million contract with the U.S. Army. Approval of the FCS program means the contractor would continue developing the artillery system in October.

Congress already has set aside $368.5 million for fiscal 2003, said U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Ryan Thompson, a spokesman for Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. Congress will have to secure additional money for the program each year.

That money is already guaranteed for this year, Cole said. But if there is one thing Ive learned since coming to Washington, it is if youre sitting on a pot of money, you had better treat it as though youre shepherding a wagon across the badlands ... Well be riding shotgun on this one.

Van Keuren said construction of the plant would begin in spring 2006. The United Defense plant is projected to produce 150 jobs and an annual payroll of between $5 million and $6 million, according to an economic impact study completed for Elgin in February. The study also projected that the plant and related businesses would bring $32 million in construction to the area.

United Defense also projects an additional 200 to 300 jobs from companies that will support the artillery system, Van Keuren said.

Some military experts question whether a heavy gun can be mounted on a light armored vehicle that weighs less than 20 tons. The system must be operational by 2010.

I think its a really big leap from the Crusader, said John Pike, a military defense analyst who heads GlobalSecurity.org, a military research group. When one stops to think about all of the FCS projects, this one definitely has the highest degree of technological risks. This is the one that is going to take the longest time to implement.

Theyre going to take a 20-ton platform and mount a heavy cannon. Think about how it will absorb the recoil. How big a bullet can they shoot?

These are questions United Defense plans to answer in September when the system undergoes its first round of demonstrations, Van Keuren said.

Land Warrior technology is the next battlefield edge

In-Depth Coverage

By David Whelan

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Military men watch movies like John Waynes Sands of Iwo Jima for inspiration. But as the work of Mountain View-based Pemstar Pacific Consultants progresses on the Armys futuristic Land Warrior system, new recruits may start finding movies like Robocop and Terminator equally relevant.

The cyborg-like Land Warrior program represents the Armys attempt to plug individual infantrymen into the same technology that pilots and submarine captains use in battle. It means incorporating functions like night vision, radio, protective clothing, navigation and positioning systems, weapons guidance and other sensors and gadgets into one piece of equipment that soldiers wear like a uniform.

If all goes well, soldiers may someday become half-man, half-machine.

What were trying to achieve is the same level of overmatched capability that we have in the air, on the ground, said Bret Herscher, president and founder of Pemstar Pacific Consultants. No air force would ever fly against the U.S. Air Force -- not even our allies, like the British.

Pacific Consultants, a division of Minnesota-based contract manufacturer Pemstar, grosses about $25 million a year, according to the company, by performing high-level instrument design. Founded in 1995, it employs 90 engineers in Mountain View, most of whom hold Ph.D.s.

Typical projects involve designing a heart stent for a big pharmaceutical company or an electronic router for a telecom company. Four years ago, the company branched into the defense business when the Army came to Silicon Valley to update Land Warrior after the 40-pound prototype, produced by Raytheon, proved to be too bulky.

Menlo Park-based Exponent, a scientific consulting company, won the contract and brought in Pacific Consultants because of its experience designing wireless equipment. Now defense giant General Dynamics holds the contract for Land Warrior, which was just re-upped this year for $60 million. Pacific Consultants role has increased so that they have a hand in updating all of Land Warriors hardware, though Herscher said he can not say how much his companys piece of the contract is worth.

Silicon Valley ingenuity has always kept businesses, with their networks and computers, running smoothly. As the Army has gotten more sophisticated about using computing power in battle, it is also starting to hire private companies to upgrade its systems rather than rely on in-house technology.

By using off-the-shelf technology we saved the Army money, as they didnt have to reinvent the wheel,said Angela Meyer, a vice president at Exponent, which first brought the project to Silicon Valley. In fact, the system itself is estimated to only cost about $30,000 per person, down from initial estimates of $60,000. The weight has fallen from 40 pounds to around 10 pounds.

While Raytheon spent over $100 million during the 1990s working on the first Land Warrior system, the Silicon Valley team produced its first prototype in six months for $2 million, using Windows software and computer chips anyone can buy at Radio Shack or Frys Electronics.

Military decisions to buy existing technology is a controversial, decade-old trend, says John Pike, the director of GlobalSecurity.org, a defense policy group in Virginia. The military on the one hand sees the benefits of private industrys technology but worries it has less control over what gets developed.

Despite all the excitement and money spent, the Land Warrior remains in prototype form. Pacific Consultants Herscher said it may be more than a year before soldiers can use it in battle.

The Army also has not been able to test other aspects of the digitized infantry programs in real life. The cutting-edge 4th Mechanized Infantry entered Iraq from Kuwait in early April, but the war ended before it saw real action, said Pike.

If it had, it would have been able to try out Force XXI technology, which uses computers to digitally link together tanks, helicopters and personnel carriers, so they are all on the same digital wavelength, as Pike described it.