Jon Hawkes Profile picture
Jun 1 7 tweets 5 min read
(1/n) Patria Nemo on a BvS10. We've spent this week saying future vehicles should be lighter, more mobile, but still protected. Something to deploy and fight with traditionally lighter forces.

UK already has a fleet for that, just its seen as purely a RM thing for some reason?
(2/n) I don't think BvS 10 has been vaguely exploited to its full potential. There are a few interesting ones around, but not enough. The aforementioned Nemo mortar, an IRIS-T SLS launcher, a recovery version, counter battery radar
(3/n) Thinking about some of the discussions this week - how fast & cheap could you develop a Brimstone launcher, basic uncrewed turret (something RT20 to RT60 or RiWP flavoured), a hooklift cargo variant? Seems to tick a lot of what we're suggesting people need to think about?
(4/n) BvS10 goes anywhere, including afloat, can be airlifted incl. by rotary wing, is very well understood and proven and in use across Europe (and maybe the US soon under CATV as the Beowulf if it wins)
(5/n) When you actually look at a requirement like MRVP, why cant it be a Viking? Protection creep means MRVP are 7.5-10t trucks now, but their comparative mobility through two axles at that weight is pretty woeful, and they're a similar size.
(6/n) Yes, Viking is a tracked thing, and that comes with drawbacks. But compared to large armoured 4x4/6x6 its not radically more onerous. Viking is on CRT so is not comparable to your typical tracked vehicle.
(7/n) Impending issue is Viking's been around a while and some users are looking to replace theirs, but why not get ahead of that curve, help BAE make a new one, build it in the UK and buy loads of them in cool variants?

And thats my bank holiday daydreaming for #miltwitter /end

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More from @JonHawkes275

May 27
(1/n) Off the back of @thinkdefence's thoughts on LIS, a thread of a few cautionary ramblings with my old market forecast analyst hat on around the UK getting back into the military vehicles and AFV business. Image
2/ Quick disclaimer, LIS is actually a rather nice document for once, and the aspirations are great. This quick thread is also through the blinkered lens of vehicles and AFVs, not the full land picture LIS addresses. That out the way, on with the waffle: Image
3/ An important element to understand is that you can't just say "we're back in the ground vehicle game!" and start getting big wins. LIS is a strategy, and strategies are inherently long term things.
Read 26 tweets
Apr 11
(1/n) I suspect many don't appreciate just how miniscule the timings are in the world of APS intercepts. Most extreme example are 'distributed' APS like Rheinmetall's ADS, which defeat at very close proximity to the vehicle. A short thread:
(2/n) Quick recap - ADS works by having a series of modules mounted around the vehicle. Each has a prewarner (PW) that detects a threat, an EO sensor that times the initiation, and an explosive countermeasure (CM) that fires into the path of the threat and destroys it
(3/n) Unlike 'deployed' APS like Trophy or Iron Fist (pictured) that fire their own projectile(s) at the threat, the ADS defeat is really close in, less than a metre, by use of a directional charge (they call it an 'energetic blade').
Read 16 tweets
Apr 1
(1/n) A short thread on the latest K9 offering, which is a nice example of what a high end tracked howitzer can look like.

#artillerytwitter #K9 #MFP
(2/n) A pocket history. There are 11 main variants of K9 (not all shown on this image) which started with the 🇰🇷 K9 in 1999, and follow two broad lineages. The more advanced examples that are being marketed follow the line of 🇰🇷 K9A1, 🇳🇴 VIDAR, 🇦🇺 AS21 and now the K9A2.
(3/n) 🇪🇬 K9A1 EGY also derives from baseline K9A1 but wasnt around when chart was made. The other lineage is also receiving upgrades and enhancements and the 2 lines are parallel rather than superior/inferior, the second lineage includes the 🇫🇮 Moukari, 🇪🇪 K9 EST, and 🇮🇳 Vajra.
Read 14 tweets
Mar 11
(1/n) The NAOs Ajax report has snuck out this morning, an evolving thread of initial highlights and thoughts

nao.org.uk/report/the-aja…
(2/n) Nice top line facts. Many will point to £3bn spent, 26 vehicles received but its obviously a little more nuanced than that, not least because of decision to run demonstration & manufacture together. Also there would have been a lot more than 26 if the issues hadn't arisen
(3/n) These are the scary ones. Late 2022 before a solution might be found. No idea of IOC. 'More than' £10bn through life cost vs £6bn originally. This isn't something that's going to suddenly get back on track
Read 34 tweets
Mar 11
(1/n) Really looking forward to Land 400 Phase 3 decision any day now in Australia

A reminder via this lovely Hanwha Redback chart that its for a family of variants and not just an IFV. Hanwha's approach with Redback is 6 core variant designs for the 10 mission variants required
(2/n) It appears a dead heat with no obvious leader. Loads of rumour floating around that cant be repeated. There are three big angles that could swing it - technical capability, industrial plan, political considerations. I'm sure whoever wins the Army will get a great AFV
(3/n) L400P3 is a really significant programme for medium armour. Australia got the timing wrong, arguably, and is leading the world in having to make a judgement call about which of the Redback and Lynx is the AFV of choice rather than letting someone else make that judgement...
Read 6 tweets
Mar 8
(1/7) New Blog Post: There is a persistent statement that wheeled AFV can happily drive 1,000+ miles and fight a war, all by themselves. A shorter piece on why its a little more involved and nuanced than that sweeping statement may suggest. By way of,,,

tanknology.co.uk/post/self-depl…
(2/7) ...summary here on Twitter - yes you can do it. But there is a tremendous cost to doing so and the maintenance & logistical implications are enormous. In all cases you want to avoid this approach at all costs.

This is relevant to any long distance movement of armoured...
(3/7) ...vehicles. For a really clear example just look at Ukraine these past weeks. Huge numbers of AFV in poor maintenance and preparation with degraded logistics are, it would at least appear, floundering all over the place with breakdowns, fuel and tyre supply...
Read 7 tweets

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