Zitat:MBDA has launched production of its Fire Shadow loitering munition system for the British Army, and has reported receiving interest in the design from several other potential buyers.

"We have completed the final development firings," says Steve Wadey, the European company's UK managing director and executive group director technical. "All firings have been entirely successful against a variety of fixed and manoeuvring vehicles."

MBDA has already started delivering production weapons to the British Army in support of the service's system acceptance activities, says Wadey. He declined to comment on when and where the type could be fielded operationally

Zitat:Weighing less than 200kg (440lb), the surface-launched Fire Shadow will be capable of operating over a range of about 54nm (100km) flying at up to 15,000ft (4,600m), and have a maximum loiter time of roughly 6h over the battlefield. It could be used in conjunction with unmanned air vehicles and attack helicopters to provide precision strike capability.

Samun schrieb:Grundsätzlich würde ich für Landangriffe, Artillerie bevorzugen. Höchstens für Hochwertziele, oder wenn das Ziel außerhalb der Artilleriereichweite ist, wäre sowas sinnvoll.
Bei Taurus würde ich auch vermuten, dass die nie eingesetzt werden, weil zu teuer.

ObiBiber schrieb:

Samun schrieb:Grundsätzlich würde ich für Landangriffe, Artillerie bevorzugen. Höchstens für Hochwertziele, oder wenn das Ziel außerhalb der Artilleriereichweite ist, wäre sowas sinnvoll.
Bei Taurus würde ich auch vermuten, dass die nie eingesetzt werden, weil zu teuer.

da stimme ich zu... ich sehe dieses Konzept eher als Ergänzung...zwischen Artillerie und Cruise Missiles angesiedelt.
Es ist eine abgestufte Wirkung
von See (127mm Geschütz (30-100km, günstige Munition) -> FireShadow (100km + loiterzeit, mittelpreis Kategorie) -> CruiseMissile (RBS15 MK4, Taurus, ...) Reichweite 400-1000km, teure Munition)
und von Land (120mm Mörser (mit neuer gelenkter Munition bis 12km, günstig) -> PZH200 (mit Vulcano Munition, 40-100km) -> FireShadow)
möglich

Zitat:Extremely light-weight, and even man-pack portable, the Hero loitering munitions can be carried right into the heart of the battle and deployed within minutes, thanks to a 5kg canister. Each soldier can then carry up to three Hero 30 short-range loitering systems. With a pneumatic launch, low noise andlow thermal signature, Hero is a silent, invisible, surprise attacker.

Advanced components include a range of aerial munitions, an operator hand-held control unit, a launch canister, a ground datalink terminal, payloads, and cutting-edge avionics.

UVision also introduced a new concept of launcher. Dubbed UGL-H30, this innovative project is a small unmanned ground launcher which is able to carry and launch up to four Hero 30 loitering systems.

The Hero line is divided in short-range and long-range systems.

The short-range systems comprise the Hero 30, which weight 3 kg, has a warhead of 0.5 kg, a range of 5-40 km and an andurance of min. 30 minutes. The Hero 70 has a weight of 7 kg, a warhead of 1.2 kg and a range of 45 km. It also has an endurance of 45 min. Finally, the Hero 120 is the biggest in the short-range category, with a weight of 12.5 kg and a warhead of 3.5 kg. It has a range of 40-60 km and an endurance of 60 min. All three systems have an electrical engine and are launched from a canister.

For strategic operations that require significant munitions, Hero's operational systems of loitering munitions offer flexible mission profiles, long endurance and excellent EO capabilities. The long-range Hero line features an advanced guidance, supporting small CEP, an extended loitering time and a low thermal signature. They can be launched from canister or rail launchers. All three are controlled via a hand-held tactical control unit or ground control station. The Hero 250 has a weight of 25 kg and carry a warhead of 5 kg. It has a range of 150 km and an endurance of 3 hours. The Hero 400 has a weight of 40 kg and a warhead of 8 kg. It also has a range of 150 km and features a 4 hours endurance. Finally, the Hero 900 has a weight of 97 kg, a warhead of 20 kg and a range of 250 km. It has a 7 hours endurance. All the long-range loitering systems are powered by gasoline engines.