Indian Army wants futuristic vehicle for its Armoured corps

[Bhadra]

STOP CYING : MAKE THIS TANK : CAN YOU ?​

· Secondary (I) Armament System
- High-Energy, Direct-Projection Laser Gun: The FCS will be equipped with a high-power, extremely accurate, fully-stabilized laser gun. The FCS is envisioned as an ‘all-electric’ vehicle, which facilitates a laser gun that could be used against a variety of close-in threats. Among them are helicopters, drones, ground ‘soft’ targets, infantry and — in self-defense mode — against incoming enemy missiles. High-power laser technology for armament applications has successfully advanced beyond its infancy and nowadays is well established in outer space and airborne applications. The FCS laser gun application will probably be a ‘spin-off’ of these developmental efforts. Incontestably, laser gun technology represents a tremendous step towards independence from logistic support. There is no need for frequent ammunition resupply since it will be ‘firing’ variable, high-energy short pulses (bursts) of converted electrical energy. During target acquisition, a low-energy laser beam will be pointed at the target to verify ‘on-target’ position and the corresponding effective range. Subsequently, the low-energy beam will be
substituted with a short, high-energy pulse, ultimately yielding target destruction. A case in point is the USAF’s High-
Energy Chemical-Oxygen Airborne Laser (ABL), currently being developed to destroy ballistic missiles early in their boost phase of flight, immediately following their launch phase. A fullpower prototype baseline configuration laser module in the hundreds of kilowatts
class has already been demonstrated to meet stringent performance requirements. Another notable program is the U.S.-Israeli Tactical High-Energy
Laser (THEL), developed to engage and destroy incoming missiles. Though chemical laser technology is considered mature, a compact and transportable tactical laser weapon system, well integrated into a smaller mobile armored vehicle, remains to be demonstrated. Typical outstanding issues are integration of optics, energy pressurization system, radar, and command & control. To facilitate its development, the U.S. Army is already leveraging technology from the USAF’s space-based laser program. Finally, the U.S. Army’s fixed laser, based at the High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF) White Sands, N.M., and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) facility are both engaged in laser research for military applications. These developments and similar projects imply that future ‘spin-off’ versions, on a much smaller
scale, could be implemented in various, armored ground-to-ground and groundto- air offensive weapons and active self-defense applications. The highpower, direct line-of-sight (LOS) laser beam must have the ability to travel through the atmosphere at tactical operational
ranges (10-15 km) without detrimental losses from beam spreading, divergence, dispersion, diffraction and scattering. Additionally, it must
maintain its ‘self-focus’ characteristics and high-energy density, which are mandatory for achieving an effective target kill. Much has yet to be said about laser research and applicability, but, in the interest of time and space, this short overview will suffice.

 

[Bhadra]

STOP CRYING : MAKE THIS TANK : CAN YOU ?

​

· Secondary (II) Armament System

- Dual-Role Antiair/Antiarmor Missiles:

The FCS will be equipped with dual-role, ‘fire-and-forget’ antiair (40- 50+ km extended range) beyond-lineof- sight (BLOS), and laser/TV (infrared, passive or active, 3rd generation) guided ‘line-of-sight’ and beyond (B/LOS) antiarmor (10-30+ km range) missiles. Compact third generation missiles, with multiple target capability, air-defense and antitank system (ADATS), robust lethality type missiles. Though still presumed to incur high cost per unit and inefficient at very close engagements, there will be no substitute for their accuracy and extremely high probability of hit and kill at short and extended tactical ranges. Their BLOS formidable tactical capability will remain second to none.

In addition to primarily assuming an offensive role, the FCS will also act as an armored mobile air defense (AD) system16 for the combined arms team (CAT). By acquiring this capability, air defense will become fully integrated into the CAT to allow for its maximum effect and ployability. A network of four to six FCSs could prioritize and engage a number of aerial and point targets. This network, being an integral part of the digitized force, could either acquire and engage targets on its own, or convey critical information to other forces in the greater area. The FCS dispersed ‘battle groups’ (not large armored formations anymore) could be connected to higher-echelon defense and command centers for automatic response to saturation and time-compressed attacks. This need is reinforced by the reality that the Army is modifying its 50-year-old air defense doctrine, taking over responsibility for close air support (CAS). The Army will rely on its own means, such as deep attack helicopters (AH-64 Longbow Apache), advanced artillery systems (Crusader), and ultimately the FCS, rather than the customary U.S. Air Force dedicated close support aircraft.

 

[Bhadra]

@ersakthivel and other DRDO fanboys

I am going to flood you with so many specifics of ( US FCS) RFI that you will hide behind Arjun Tank and your baloon of no details provided will go fus - fus ...

 

[Bhadra]

Before I go any further , all skethes, quotes are from three part study report by :

The Future Combat System (FCS):
Technology Evolution Review and Feasibility Assessment
by Asher H. Sharoni and Lawrence D. Bacon

Published in ARMOR — July-August 1997, and available for download at Global Security . com
----------------------------------------------------
Mr. Lawrence D. Bacon is the
Director of Graphic Arts at WDH
where, for the past 18 years, he
has been responsible for creating
numerous concepts for automatic
ammunition handling, loading and
storage systems.
Dr. Asher H. Sharoni is the Director
of Engineering at WDH. He
holds a Sc.D. in Mechanical Engineering
from MIT and a M.Sc. &
B.Sc. in Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering from the Technion,
Israel Institute of Technology.
Dr. Sharoni is a former colonel
in the Israeli Defense Forces
in which he was involved in various
major armored weapons developments.
Dr. Sharoni has accumulated
more than 30 years of
experience in armor design and
production.

------------------------------------

Western Design HOWDEN (WDH) is a
small defense company in Irvine, California,
which specializes in the design,
development and production of ammunition
and material handling systems
for the U.S. and international military
markets. WDH’s track record includes
a variety of air, land and seaborne
weapon systems which require automated
feed, resupply and optimized
ammunition packaging. WDH has
been involved among others in the
Tank Test Bed, AC-130U Gunship,
AH-64 Apache and Tank Compact Autoloader
Programs.

 

[ezsasa]

@Bhadra

Basic question, does this FCS exist as a working prototype?

 

[Bhadra]

@Bhadra

Basic question, does this FCS exist as a working prototype?

No, only conceptual stage due to lack of funding as US does not envisage use of MBT type Armor in near future..

However, Armata, a similar ( or not similar) concept in design is already in production which will propel USA to undertake prototyping. The signs at European fronts are also not so good and USA may undertake further step in developing FCS.

 

[pmaitra]

@ersakthivel and other DRDO fanboys

I am going to flood you with so many specifics of ( US FCS) RFI that you will hide behind Arjun Tank and your baloon of no details provided will go fus - fus ...

Please do us a favour and flood this thread with specifics about what the DGMF wants. Specifics is what is missing in the RFI.

And do not write Ram Kahani .. be to the point and precise ( Like RFI)..

The RFI is a lot of things. "Precise," it is not.

 

[Bhadra]

DON"T CRY BABY: RFI/RFP FOR FCS

· Battle Management System​

The third-generation Battle Management System (BMS) includes a peripheral,multi-sensor-aided target acquisition and fire control system. It would be a day/night integrated system capable of automatically engaging and managing up to 15-20 active or passive targets simultaneously and autonomously. Automatic air/ground acquisition would be made through thermal imagery, millimeter-wave radar processing, and direct optical sights. It would include target recognition, identification, prioritization, and automatic tracking. Fire controls would incorporate main and secondary armament stabilization and support automatic loading. The system would offer full fireon- the-move capability while engaging multiple targets. It would assume an active role within the tactical and regional digitized communication networks by providing critical battle awareness information and target data submission and acceptance. The FCS/BMS could be temporarily ‘slaved’ to other FCSs or to higherechelon commands.

---------------------------------------------------------------

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU ?

 

[Bhadra]

DON"T CRY BABY: RFI/RFP FOR FCS
​

· All-Around Vision, Transparent “Virtual Reality” Under Armor

An all-around, ‘virtual reality,’ day/ night, 360o array of TV/thermal cameras and computer-processed vision would enable the crew to “see” through the armored walls of the crew compartment with helmet integrated displays. This would allow excellent “buttonedup” visibility and alleviate motion sickness.
The weapons could be fully slaved to each of the two crew members’ helmets as tactical considerations
and battle conditions dictate. The displays would make accessible all critical battle awareness, vehicle status, and intelligence information. Crew members would be able to see the faces of people they are communicating with and other pertinent pictured information on their personal displays.

---------------------------------------------------------------

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU ?

 

[Bhadra]

DON"T CRY BABY: RFI/RFP FOR FCS​

Integrated Survivability

This lightweight (40-45 ton), all-terrain, all-weather, extended-operational capability (EOC), highly mobile armored vehicle would be significantly more versatile than the present M1 Abrams tank series and capable of missions beyond those traditionally performed by contemporary main battle tanks (MBT).

The vehicle would present a substantially reduced overall target signature (heat, acoustic, magnetic and visual) by way of utilization of ‘stealthy’ materials and design contours. Equipped with an extensive signature management system (SMS - thermal, electromagnetic, acoustic), countermeasures, and a False Target Generation (FTG) active/ passive decoy system, which could project and emulate an imaginary FCS signature to divert incoming homing missiles away from the real FCS.

A self-defense, dynamic ‘hit-avoidance suit’ (HAS) would automatically detect, prioritize, counter, and intercept enemy cruise missiles, helicopters, unmanned vehicles, high performance fixed-wing ground support aircraft, topattack antitank munitions, homing artillery munitions like SADARM (Search and Destroy Armor), and other antitank threats.

There would be an automatic detection, alert, avoidance, and protection system for areas contaminated by
weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The vehicle would be equipped with advanced, ‘add-on’ modular passive (heat, acoustic, magnetic and visual) by way of utilization of ‘stealthy’ materials and design contours. Equipped with an extensive signature management system (SMS - thermal, electromagnetic, acoustic), countermeasures, and a False Target Generation (FTG) active/ passive decoy system, which could project and emulate an imaginary FCS signature to divert incoming homing missiles away from the real FCS. A self-defense, dynamic ‘hit-avoidance suit’ (HAS) would automatically detect, prioritize, counter, and intercept enemy cruise missiles, helicopters, unmanned vehicles, high performance fixed-wing ground support aircraft, topattack antitank munitions, homing artillery munitions like SADARM (Search and Destroy Armor), and other ntitank threats. There would be an automatic detection, alert, avoidance, and protection system for areas contaminated by weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The vehicle would be equipped with advanced, ‘add-on’ modular passive and energetic/reactive armor modules that could be installed in accordance with the primary assigned mission. Another system would integrate passive/ active mine detection, avoidance, and possibly destruction (neutralization) while stationary, or preferably onthe- move.

--------------------------------------------------------------

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU ?

 

[Bhadra]

CRY TONS OVER THESE SPECEFICATION​

Force-Projection Deployability


Reduced weight and a smaller silhouette would improve air, land, and sea transportability and deployability.

The FCS would play a key role as an active information node, fully integrated into digitized battlefield, tactical,
and regional communication networks, providing combat, surveillance, and logistic information.

The vehicle would offer improved cross-country mobility, speed, and agility, and a greater range than the M1 series tank.

An autonomous system would provide day/night obstacle avoidance, ‘Auto-Pilot’ (AP) navigation/cruise and automatic formation maneuver.

 

[Bhadra]

THIS IS DOABLE SON ​

Mobility and Agility

* Unprecedented cross-country mobility and enhanced agility will be provided by an all-electric power train producing a variable 800-1200 Hp (@45 ton max. overall weight!).

* Computerized hydropneumatic ‘dynamic’ suspension will provide smooth and comfortable adjustable ride over all kinds of rough terrain.

* Maximum cross-country speed will be 100 KPH (63 MPH). This is extremely high and practically unattainable with limited performance, conventional torsion-bar or coil-spring suspensions.

* Nonetheless, it is attainable with a hydropneumatic suspension. Maximum flat-road cruising speed will exceed 120 KPH (75 MPH) at maximum power output.

 

[Bhadra]

AT LEAST THINK IT : IF NOT ABLE TO DO IT​

Sustainability - Reduced Maintenance and Logistics

Powered by a new, high-efficiency power-pack and energy source, possibly an alternative energy source to
conventional fossil fuels. The engine/ power source facilitates the implementation of electromagnetic or elec-
trothermal-chemical guns that use electrical energy (EE) as their means, all or in part, for projectile propulsion.
We envision a significantly reduced reliance on conventional maintenance, resupply of rations, ammunition, fuel,
and spare parts to achieve long-term, extended operational capability. Compliance of major sub-systems
with the above required capabilities and attributes will be discussed in the following sections.

_____________________________

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU ?

 

[Bhadra]

Logistics Are the Key to the FCS (More so Under Indian Conditions)


The M1 Abrams, though inarguably one of the most capable and potent tanks ever produced, must cease operations for refueling at least once every 8 hours under normal operational conditions. (What about Arjun?)


Its ammunition and other critical consumables could be readily depleted in a very short time during heavy combat. ( For Arjun can not be found!!)

Like all contemporary modern tanks, the M1 requires a long and vulnerable logistic support “tail” that severely
delimits its deployability and operability. In an era when power projection is critical, strong logistical dependency is not acceptable over the long run. (This logistics requirement under Indian condition is a nightmare specially in obstacle ridden terrain and possibility of enmy interjection in between to seperate main force and logistics train)



The current goal is to reduce the logistic burden by at least 50%. Unfortunately, armored force maneuver
and the intensity level of its attack are frequently limited by the capabilities of logistic support infrastructures, rather than the inherent ability of the tank itself. (What’s new?... Wasn’t General Patton short of fuel while rapidly advancing in France? Or for that matter, Field Marshal Rommel in North Africa?). ( That may be true but it is not acceptable in short intense and sudden operations such as CSD)

A modern fast-maneuvering army must reduce its reliance on restrictive logistic support systems while consuming fewer limited resources. ( DODO can think of driving the tank with sugar cane juice as sugar cane is available in plenty on both sides of Western border)

On July 17, 1996, Major General Robert Scales, Deputy Chief of Staff for Doctrine at the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), expressed his conception in the Defense Daily newsletter, 17 that the Army’s operational revolution relies upon effective utilization of better technologies and techniques to support ground forces. The key issue at hand is to be able to “temporarily break from the logistics umbilical cord...” restoring the rapid maneuvering of dispersed formations so essential to full exploitation of armor firepower, shock, and mobility. According to General Scales, the Army will be able to create a dominant Force XXI by employing alternative sources of enenergy for mobility and propulsion, while reducing the traditional restricting dependency on rations, ammunition, and spare parts. This same underlying philosophy has played a paramount role in the derivation of our FCS concept.

__________________________

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU ?

 

[Bhadra]

MAKE IT HAPPEN : SUPPORT IA RATHER THAN YOURSELVES

​

 

[Bhadra]

CAN YOU THINK OF MAKING IT THIS WAY ?

​

 

[Bhadra]

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR​

Note: All information contained in this article was derived from open-sources and the analysis of the authors.

_____________________________________________________

Western Design HOWDEN (WDH) is a small defense company in Irvine, California, which specializes in the design, development and production of ammunition and material handling systems for the U.S. and international military markets. WDH’s track record includes a variety of air, land, and seaborne weapon systems which require automated feed, resupply, and optimized ammunition packaging. WDH has been involved among others in the Tank Test Bed, AC-130 U Gunship, AH-64 Apache, and Tank Compact Autoloader Programs.

________________________________________________________________________

That a small private company. I am sure Indian DRDO has thousand times more resources and budget than them.

So can you do it ?

 

[Khagesh]

Are you suggesting that India should also put all its eggs in this Raptor-on-tracks . I am sure DGMF will be all ears. He thinks it is a good idea to give add a gas-turbine engine also into the tank to help the dumb IC engine.

No, only conceptual stage due to lack of funding as US does not envisage use of MBT type Armor in near future..

My my, do I detect a twinge of pain in chest for the lack of funding.

@Bhadra Bhai after the US has developed this tank let us see how many they order. It is easy to make a dream machine but damn near impossible to protect and sell it.

Projectiles, ballistics, missilery, are moving so fast in real life R&D that most of these new tanks will be useless before they get inducted in any useful numbers.

Why would you want a damn well armed thing literally sitting on the ground. What hcuking rationale allows that !?

 

[power_monger]

Looks like Bhadra bhai is more qualified than the one in DGMF i guess.

 

[Bhadra]

Looks like Bhadra bhai is more qualified than the one in DGMF i guess.

Certainly not. I had declared in the very beginning that I am not a tank-man. Only a DFI defense enthusiast.

However, I can doubt those officers at DGMF for anything but lack of professionalism.. I am sure.