Global Military Updates: Russia Unveils New Infantry Fighting Vehicle, US Boosts AMRAAM Production, and UK Upgrades ⁢Nuclear Submarine Facility

Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the world of military technology and operations.

Russia’s New Infantry Fighting ‌Vehicle Can Lay 120 Anti-Tank Mines

At the Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum, the​ Russian Army introduced the Impulse-KPTM,⁢ a new unmanned infantry fighting ⁢vehicle (UGV) designed for mine-laying operations.

The Impulse-KPTM is ⁣equipped with 30 launchers, each capable of holding various mine canisters such as KPOM-3, ⁣KPTM-3, and KPTM-4, allowing up to 120 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines to ‌be deployed at the same time to create a ⁢variety of ⁤minefields.

The ‌vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 10km/h and is capable of climbing ‍slopes of 25 degrees. It is powered by⁣ a 20-kilowatt engine, allowing it to operate ‌continuously for 4 hours. The vehicle⁢ has a total weight of 1,350kg.

Impulse-KPTM ‍uses a radio control channel that can receive video information and transmit control⁢ signals within a range of 1km. For ⁢long-range operations, the⁣ vehicle can switch to a ⁢fiber optic control channel, allowing⁢ communication over distances of ​up to 20km.

Mine Canisters and Their Capabilities

The KPOM-3 canister can deploy POM-3 anti-personnel mines, each equipped with seismic sensors ⁤to detect ‍vibrations, such as‍ footsteps. The POM-3 mines are 200mm high ​and⁣ 60-70mm in diameter, and weigh 1.3kg.

The KPTM-3 mine canister can deploy the PTM-3 anti-tank mine, which uses shaped explosives to penetrate armor and is equipped⁤ with a magnetic fuse, activated by changes in magnetic fields. Each PTM-3​ mine weighs 8.5 kg ⁣when fully assembled and contains 1.8 kg of TG-40​ explosive.

The KPTM-4​ mine canister can hold two PTM-4 shaped-explosive anti-tank mines. Each PTM-4 mine weighs 3.25kg ⁢and contains 1.4kg of TG-40 explosive.

US Increases Production of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile ⁢AMRAAM for Allied Countries

Raytheon Defense Corporation has signed a $1.1 billion contract with the US Department of ​Defense ⁤to promote the production of⁣ advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles AMRAAM for ‌a ‍group of allied countries, including Bahrain,‌ Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the UK.

About $603 million of this contract is funded by ⁢partner countries.

The AMRAAM missile is highly versatile, compatible with many ‍different ‌types of fighter aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35. It is also ​compatible with Norway’s NASAMS air defense system, further expanding the system’s deployment capabilities.

The AIM-120 is 3.6m long and weighs 150.7kg when launched, carrying a 18.1kg high explosive fragmentation⁢ warhead. The missile can engage targets ‍within‍ a range of 55.6km using active radar and an onboard inertial guidance system.

Royal Navy’s Devonport Base Completes Nuclear Submarine‍ Facility Upgrade

The Royal Navy has reopened its largest dry dock at Devonport Naval Base, significantly boosting the nation’s nuclear submarine maintenance capacity.

The facility, known as “9 Dock”, has been renovated under a £200m contract with Babcock International Group, aimed at speeding up maintenance of the Vanguard-class submarines that form the core of the UK’s⁣ Continuous At Sea Deterrent ‍(CASD).

The 9 Dock upgrade focuses on modernizing support services and infrastructure, including enhanced security, equipment upgrades, and the introduction of an alternative ⁣mechanical handling package. The new system is designed to reduce maintenance time for‌ the Vanguard-class fleet, through ‍periodic deep ⁢maintenance periods (DMPs) to⁤ ensure operational readiness and incorporate ​the latest technology.

Vanguard-class submarines play a vital role in maintaining national security, as they remain at sea year-round, providing a‌ continuous nuclear deterrent. The “9 Dock” upgrade is expected to streamline essential maintenance processes,⁣ allowing the vessels ‌to be redeployed more‌ efficiently.