Kuwaiti M1A2s to get APS?

[Kinophile]

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20161227.aspx

[VladimirTarasov]

Waste of money on their end, but still interesting. 

[MikeyD]

I spotted a promo for a recent Indian film that dealt with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. When you recall Kuwait had been over-run and looted a mere 26 years ago you can see why they'd spend the dough to keep a 200+ tank fleet.

No mention of APS in the article. If they were going to get it the most mature system would be Trophy from Israel. But would Israel sell it to them?

Vehicles do wear out. I remember reading stories of Canada having nightmares with problem-plagued worn-out Centurions back-in-the-day. Soviet tanks, if memory serves, would average 5(?) rebuilds in their service life (don't quote me on that figure). Its the basic cost of upkeep.

About the Kuwaiti Abrams not having Chobham (DU) armor, neither do Leopard IIs.

[Kinophile]

End of first paragraph:

"improved sensors and computers and active defense (to detect snipers as well as countermeasures against incoming missiles) capabilities."

Of course, Jane's makes no mention of it: http://www.janes.com/article/66265/kuwait-abrams-tank-upgrade-package-announced

I guess just another case of SP's hyperbole.

 

Edited December 28, 2016 by kinophile

[c3k]

Sureshot (?) is a system that's been around awhile. It uses a microphone and can determine a very accurate azimuth to any gunshot. Link two of them together with a bit of GPS magic and you can triangulate a very accurate location. Someone goes "bang" and an icon pops up on a digital map. It can also be tuned for other sounds...like missile launches.

That may be to what they are referring, or some similar system.

[akd]

Speaking of APS:

CV9035 IFVs from Army of Netherlands to be fitted with Israeli IMI Iron Fist active protection system.

BAE Systems has received a contract from the Netherlands for the testing and verification of Active Protection Systems (APS) Iron Fist developed by the Israeli Company IMI (Israeli Military Industries) Systems to put on its CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).


CV9035 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) from Dutch Army during live demonstration

Active Protection is an advanced solution consisting of countermeasures that can intercept incoming rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank missiles, and other threats to increase crew and vehicle survivability.

BAE Systems, the manufacturer of the Dutch CV9035 variant vehicles, will lead the APS integration. BAE Systems will also carry out the future installation of the system, called Iron Fist, developed by Israeli supplier IMI Systems. Iron Fist is an automated system that uses a radar to detect and track threats and then takes action to eliminate the threat.

The IMI Systems Iron Fist combines a Soft-and Hard-Kill Active protection System especially designed to be mounted on a light armoured vehicles as IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles). IRON FIST employs a sophisticated, multi-sensor early warning system, utilizing both infrared and radar sensors, providing the crew with enhanced situational awareness and early warning from potential threats. 

“Iron Fist will give the Dutch Army a highly sophisticated defensive tool on its CV90s to counter threats and improve the safety of the vehicle and its crew,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of Sweden-based BAE Systems Hägglunds. “Iron Fist is yet another example of the advanced technology BAE Systems and its partners can deliver to our customers.”

The integration of this advanced APS solution onto the Dutch CV90s demonstrates the vehicle’s adaptability to new and evolving technologies to meet customer-specific requirements.


New Iron Fist Light active protection system at the booth of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems during AUSA 2016.

“During this test phase we will pre-qualify the active system against our threat specification, and together with our partners analyze system safety and prepare for its integration onto our CV9035NL vehicles,” said Hans de Goeij, project manager at the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation, Ministry of Defence. “We expect to make a decision on the next phase by early 2018. With Iron Fist, the Netherlands is expected to become the first NATO country with an Active Protection System of its kind on combat vehicles.”

In December 2004 the Royal Netherlands Army awarded BAE Systems Hägglunds a EUR749 million contract for the supply of 184 CV9035 Mk III IFV/CV9035NL. The first vehicles will be delivered in 2007 through 2010. The CV9035NK is fitted with a two-man turret armed with a Bushmaster III 35mm caliber automatic cannon. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament. 

BAE Systems is a leader in the development of survivability technologies for combat vehicles. The company has, for example, developed a system called ADAPTIV, which uses cloaking technology to alter the appearance of a vehicle, making it harder to identify. BAE Systems has also developed a situational awareness tool called BattleView 360. BattleView 360 employs sensors outside the vehicle that feed a 360-degree image to a helmet-mounted monocle, allowing soldiers inside the vehicle to essentially “see through” armor and better detect threats.

[Rinaldi]

I thought the Netherlands has retired their CV90 fleet and put it up for resale? Or are they phasing them out?

 

Edit: Well, color me surprised, they haven't. Anyways, IMI hasn't shied away from selling their equipment to even non-aligned Western countries, but yes I agree its dubious that they would provide TROPHY or similar to Kuwait - US Ally or not.

Edited December 28, 2016 by Rinaldi