The Guardian 2.0 is a Remote Control Weapons Station (RWS) for 12.7 mm that could be adapted for 5.56mm and 7.62 mm cannon, lightweight and compact. The system is 2 axes gyro-stabilized and it operates day and night for combat, surveillance, target identification and tracking missions. Specially designed to be integrated in a wide range of platforms and vehicles, this system provides defence capabilities for short and medium ranges with high firing accuracy being a reliable solution against asymmetric threats. The Guardian 2.0 RwS designed and built by the Spanish Company Escribano Mechanical and Engineering.

The Guardian 2.0 is an RWS for lightweight weapons, such as 12.7 and 7.62 mm machine guns. Through its sensors, it can identify and acquire targets up to the distance of 4.5 km. The sensors include a cooled IR camera, a CCD camera that is capable of detecting targets up to 8 km and recognize them at 4.5 km. The Guardian 2.0 users have the option to integrate a smoke or grenade launcher, an anti-aircraft missile or an acoustic gun detection system. The station is an update of the previous version, already in use with the Spanish Armed Forces, now offering better technical characteristics such as faster reaction time for the gun, better stabilization and the sensors ability to provide improved situational awareness.

TOPAZ is a fully integrated Combat Management System enhancing situational awareness and providing support in strategy, mission planning. In order to increase the speed of the process of turning informational advantage into faster and more effective military decisions and ensure precise actions with maximum use of all available assets, WB GROUP’s engineers and constructors designed a system enhancing situational awareness and crisis response capabilities according to OODA (Observe Orient Decide Act) loop. Situational awareness, precise and quick data transmission along with security and reliability in the most extreme conditions are crucial on the contemporary battlefield.

TOPAZ ICMS ( integrated combat management system) facilitates an adaptive workflow drawing upon the core elements in battle: overwatch/observation, management/logistics and strike. TOPAZ facilitates the battlefield management at every command level, enables a real-time analysis of information acquired from reconnaissance and observation systems and ensures the precise strike with use of the available loitering munitions systems. The system also enables the control of all logistic assets, including ammunition reserves and technical condition of vehicles by the commander. The key advantage of TOPAZ is its modularity and scalability. This allows to build various configurations that connect all WB GROUP’s products and functions.

WB Group is the creator and manufacturer of the ZZKO TOPAZ system that facilitates command and fire control procedures, also allowing the user to make use of the data provided e.g. by the FlyEye UAVs, in real time. Topaz solution is being utilized by the Polish Armed Forces both in case of the modernized artillery systems: 2S1 Gvozdika, WR-40 Langusta; and, lately, in case of the newly introduced 155 mm Krab self-propelled howitzers and 120 mm Rak self-propelled mortars, with the latter systems being based on the Rosomak APC. Polish-based WB Group is the largest private concern in the defence sector. Technologies offered by the WB Group are based on years of expertise gained during operation of the group’s solutions implemented in Polish armed forces, as well as on long-term cooperation with the most demanding customers all worldwide.

The AJBAN Long Range Special Operations Vehicle (LRSOV) is an open-top long-range reconnaissance vehicle and manufactured by NIMR Automotive, an armoured vehicle manufacturer based in the UAE. AJBAN LRSOV is a reinforced versatile vehicle designed for use by the special operations forces across the globe. It is currently in service with the armed forces of UAE. The vehicle is intended to perform a range of missions including reconnaissance, search-and-rescue (SAR), and surveillance. Light and powerful, capable of accessing all terrains in addition to being helicopter transportable, the vehicle can be customised to accommodate a range of user specified equipment.

The AJBAN LRSOV is based on NIMR’s multi-purpose platform, developed to meet various military requirements from utility vehicles to fully protected tactical vehicles. The LRSOV seats 4 crew with an optional 5th seat, providing all round situational awareness and self-defence from a high mounted heavy machine gun ring and gun mounts at all crew positions. The vehicle can optionally be fitted with ballistic and blast protection. The modular configuration of the vehicles allows for multi-mission variants to suit the user requirements, with NIMR developing bespoke configurations from base vehicle architecture if required.

The vehicle is based on a robust multi-purpose platform developed in compliance with the existing military standards for utility vehicles and fully-protected tactical vehicles. LRSOV has a length of 5.68m, width of 2.13m, and an operational height of 1.97m. It comes with a wheelbase of 3.3m and high ground clearance, ensuring easy manoeuvrability in all types of terrains. The vehicle can operate in harsh weather conditions with temperatures ranging between -19ºC and +49ºC. The gross weight of the AJBAN LRSOV is 8,000kg, while its base weight is 5,000kg. The maximum payload carrying capacity of the vehicle is 3,000kg.

AJBAN LRSOV is powered by a diesel engine with a maximum power production capacity of 296hp (221kW) at 2,500rpm. The engine is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission system. The maximum torque generated by the engine is approximately 1,100Nm at 2,500rpm. Mobility features of the vehicle are aided by the onboard central tyre inflation system (CTIS), run flat inserts (RFI), double wishbone suspension system, and dual-circuit air-over-hydraulic brake system. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 110km/h and can travel up to 700km at a cruise speed of 100km/h. The vehicle can be air transported to the remote mission locations either as under-sling load or internal load by heavy-lift helicopters such as CH-47 Chinook.

Rheinmetall Canada showcased a new weaponised configuration of its Mission Master Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) during the Ammunition Capability Demonstration (ACD) event held at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa. Armed with the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Multi weapon station and a 70 mm rocket launcher from Thales, the newly developed Rheinmetall Mission Master – Protection fired a salvo of 14 rockets, delivering 60 kg of explosives in 1.6 seconds, a feat never achieved before in the land domain. The Unmanned Ground Vehicle is controlled by a single soldier through a personal digital assistant (PDA). In addition to being controlled with a man in the loop, the UGV can be operated semi-autonomously by pre-programming it so a “man on the loop” gives the final command before an action is taken.

The Mission Master has two launchers for seven rockets each mounted on an adapted Rheinmetall remote weapons station and can fire 70 mm rockets with high explosive or high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads. The range of 2 km for direct fire and 7 km for indirect fire, with guided rockets extending this range to 9 km. The Mission Master firing individual rockets and entire salvoes, culminating in the system’s qualification for NATO and the South African National Defence Force. The UGV/70 mm rocket combination is now qualified under NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4568 on unmanned vehicle interoperability. The Mission Master to reach an initial capability to be operated fully autonomously without a man in or on the loop by early 2020.

As demonstrated at ACD 2019, the Mission Master – Protection maximises soldier efficiency and substantially boosts the combat power of dismounted troops by providing close fire support. The Mission Master UGV can also conduct autonomous high-risk military tasks, resulting in a cognitive and physical stress relief in today’s complex battlespace. The UGV is produced by Rheinmetall Canada and was first revealed at Eurosatory 2018. It is a multipurpose, all-terrain UGV derived from the 8×8 Argo platform produced by the Canadian company Ontario Drive Gear (ODG). The unit is ruggedised, fully amphibious, and can optionally be fitted with tracks/chains. The 2.95 m-long vehicle can reach a maximum speed of 40 km/h. The basic platform weighs approximately 750 kg and can carry a payload of 600 kg, although this is reduced to 300 kg when used in amphibious operations.

C Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team conducts livefire at the National Training Center (NTC) June 14, 2019, at Ft. Irwin, Calif. Female tank platoon leader communicates with her teams over the radio as the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks and M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle fire on enemy targets. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is training at NTC May 24 – June 20 to prepare for its wartime mission. The rotation builds unit and Soldier proficiency to provide combatant commanders with a trained and ready force capable of fighting and winning our nation’s wars.

Fort Irwin National Training Center is a major training area for the United States military and is a census-designated place located in the Mojave Desert in northern San Bernardino County, California. Fort Irwin is at an average elevation of 2,454 feet (748 m). It is located 37 miles (60 km) northeast of Barstow, in the Calico Mountains. Fort Irwin works within the R-2508 Special Use Airspace Complex. The National Training Center is part of the US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). The opposing force at the National Training Center (NTC) is the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the Blackhorse Cavalry, who are stationed at the base to provide an opposing force to units on a training rotation at Fort Irwin. In September 2017, a state-of-the-art hospital was opened that provides healthcare services to the Fort Irwin beneficiaries.
Video by Spc. Hannah Hawkins, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment