Editor and owner of @CalibreDefence, RUSI associate fellow. Author of Target Stopped: The History of the Modern Tank, published by Osprey.
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Joined December 2014
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Thought @thinkdefence might find this one interesting, got me thinking about the effort to build infrastructure in Kabul.
5G networks are gaining traction in defence for their high bandwidth.
Now, there's a new system on the scene called the Rapid Broadband Kit from UK Connect Defence. It's designed to provide high bandwidth for non-tactical deployments: calibredefence.co.uk/uk-conn…
Sam Cranny-Evans retweeted
Really proud of the impact @AronditeTech’s having with @16AirAssltBCT and across the @BritishArmy.
Worth a watch:
youtu.be/ozgVx0z_KYY?is=3bXg…
A nice article here from one of our contributors in Ukraine. It looks at some of the new C2 systems used by Russian forces, as well as the comms architecture that they rely on.
@JohnH105 @sambendett and @KofmanMichael thought this might be interesting for you.
This piece from Calibre Defence contributor, Etienne Hertz, takes a look at the different systems in use from Glaz-Groza to Lys, and why Russian forces seem to be struggling to match Ukraine's targeting cycles.
calibredefence.co.uk/c4isr-a…
This is the M1301 ISV fitted with the Tactical Electronic Warfare System–Infantry (TEWS-I). It enables a tactical unit to locate communications signals, interpret them to some extent, and provide targeting details.
This is a T-55AM2 (I think) left over in Angola. 205 were ordered from Slovakia in 1999 and delivered between then and 2000, according to SIPRI.
This is an interesting concept, and there are a few around in a similar category. It's jet powered and designed to intercept things like a Geran-4.
There's a new counter-drone missile on the scene.
This is LORIN-1 from Belgian company Sphere Defense. With a top speed of Mach 0.6, it's built to tackle emerging jet-powered drones.
calibredefence.co.uk/sphere-…
Sam Cranny-Evans retweeted
If you weren't able to attend Sam Cranny-Evans' (@Sam_Cranny) recent talk on his new book 'Target Stopped' at @NAM_London, the event recording is now available to watch online!
🎥Watch the full video: bit.ly/3UchkXH
📚"Target Stopped": bit.ly/47AfGCg
Germany is updating how it expects its divisions to fight. They want them to be able to reach targets up to 500 km and are developing a drone unit to support that goal.
The Bundeswehr has decided that its divisions need to be able to fight up to a depth of 500 km, and is establishing a new drone regiment to help reach that goal. Fighting deep is quite trendy, but it's not new: calibredefence.co.uk/german-…
Sam Cranny-Evans retweeted
This is Deode, a high energy laser built in the UK to take out drone optics.
I see that Russian tanks evolve against Ukraine's FPV drones is trending so, here's a shameless plug of an article i published recently looking at the various Russian efforts to make tanks more survivable in Ukraine: calibredefence.co.uk/beyond-…
It's also worth looking through @AndreiBtvt's threads for some balance to the discussion, he's kept a constant eye on these evolutions and what has worked or not.
If you're interested in the way Russia is using precision strike systems in Ukraine then this podcast is for you.
The discussion is based on our recent RUSI paper looking at the evolution of Russia's precision strike, going from 2022 through to mid-2026 and the different ways that Russia's approach to precision munitions has changed in that time.
It's fair to say they have shifted their approach, increasingly relying on drones and loitering munitions to continue the fight. But artillery and mass are not totally absent either. Many thanks to @AmosFox6 for inviting us on, always good to share some thoughts!
A new Revolution in Military Affairs podcast out today.
In this episode I discuss the evolution of Russian precision strike with the @RUSI_org’s Sidharth Kaushal and @Sam_Cranny.
shows.acast.com/revolution-i…
Sam Cranny-Evans retweeted
C-UAS was a theme at the Belgian 🇧🇪 National Infantry Day demo.
- Laser dazzler from a soldier in a Ghost Shield multispectral camo cover.
- Winchester shotgun with lead assisting module and various anti-drone shells.
- FN Evolys (7.62) with anti-air sights!
A few images of the Thundart missile and launcher here from Safran and MBDA. It has been designed to replace France's M270 MLRS with a sovereign solution - which it certainly is. But, given that many European nations have gone with either HIMARS, Chunmoo, PULS or a Chunmoo/HIMARS combo - it would have made a lot of sense to go with one of them for commonality.
Of course, that's not what France's procurement was necessarily about. Capability yes, but politics also.
Definitely worth a listen - this one is on the MilSci team's work on what it takes to make digital targeting effective.
A new Revolution in Military Affairs podcast is out today. In this episode I discuss modern targeting with @RUSI_org @MTSavill. Check it out.
shows.acast.com/revolution-i…
Ok - here's a thread on adding lasers to British Army vehicles. Have a read, let me know your thoughts.
Sam Cranny-Evans retweeted
Omsktransmash (UVZ Corporation) has shown its new “Tsar-Tent.” Tanks with the kit have already been supplied to the Russian Armed Forces since this summer. The design was developed on the basis of trial operation of kits developed from field modifications; the solutions are described in a patent (see t.me/btvt2019/24873). Attention has been paid to protecting the running gear and weakened zones; visibility from the tank is preserved, and satisfactory survivability of the structure is ensured in the event of several hits.
One thing not visible in the photographs is the protection of the engine deck with explosive reactive armor.
T-72B3M tanks are also supplied with new protective kits (see t.me/btvt2019/26664), whose design differs from the Omsk one.
Some nice images of USS Portland blasting something with a laser back in 2021. Got a good article on adding lasers to British Army vehicles coming today!
A nice piece here from Federico, it goes into the data he has collected on Hezbollah's FPV use in Lebanon, geolocating them, and dissecting how they are built.
Hezbollah’s adoption of fiber-optic FPV drones provided a low-cost, jam-resistant precision strike asset that heavily targeted Israeli armour and air defences in southern Lebanon.
Very grateful to @federicoborsar1 for this extensive article on Hezbollah's FPV campaign. 🔗below.
