tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post7780485544301695692..comments2024-02-29T11:45:01.870+01:00Comments on UK Armed Forces Commentary: Lessons learned, lessons forgotten?Gabrielehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-55693867412690665702012-06-18T23:56:16.689+02:002012-06-18T23:56:16.689+02:00Personally, i think that a wheeled platform, with ...Personally, i think that a wheeled platform, with good mobility performances such as Foxhound would do the job more than well enough. <br /><br />Might actually be easy to hide a Foxhound than a FRES CBP hull, and staying hidden in the rear echelon is what this system would do: hide far in the back, preferably behind a hill, and fire the missiles to targets pin-pointed by the guys in the first line. <br /><br />I see the Spike NLOS as a battalion/regiment level weapon, fitting in the doctrinal scenario of "dispersion of the force" that appears also in the Land Operating Concept Document of the MOD that i've recently commented. <br /><br />A Spike NLOS platoon at Battalion level would give an "umbrella" of responsive, highly-accurate fire that forward-deployed companies could require and obtain with minimal delay. <br />The Battalion in exchange does away with the Maneuver Support Company, that is broken down in Fire Support Groups, each given to a Rifle Company, possibly with the Companies becoming 4 by means of cutting the per-company rifle platoons from 3 to 2. <br /><br />That would give Mortars and SPIKE NLOS at Battalion level, AS90 and/or L118 at Brigade level and GMLRS/Fire Shadow at Divisional level, as a notional arrangement.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-80370973944909576672012-06-18T23:48:29.424+02:002012-06-18T23:48:29.424+02:00Gabriele
If we were ever fortunate enough to see ...Gabriele<br /><br />If we were ever fortunate enough to see a missile system like Spike NLOS enter service (perhaps as part of the core), would it matter, do you think whether the system was placed on a wheeled platform like the Sandcat or Foxhound OR on a tracked platform? Striker of course was tracked and able to tackle the same kind of terrain as other tracked vehicles. The question, I suppose , boils down to whether a wheeled platform would be man enough for the job in a high intensity conflict. Or down to what Spike NLOS's main role would be.MikeWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-9713201598044447062012-06-18T17:18:01.986+02:002012-06-18T17:18:01.986+02:00Yes Gabriele I was aware of the recent purchase of...Yes Gabriele I was aware of the recent purchase of the Bushmaster by the SF, perhaps the Hawkei would fit the bill better...after all, the Bushmaster is less than $600,000 USD and the Hawkei less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-45032053961995069282012-06-18T01:35:00.154+02:002012-06-18T01:35:00.154+02:00They are different vehicles. Foxhound is much smal...They are different vehicles. Foxhound is much smaller, only carries 2+4 and weights around 7.5 tons. The Bushmaster is well over 12.5 and carries 9. It is closer to the Ridgback than to the Foxhound, which is meant to be a smaller, urban patrol vehicle. <br /><br />But in a way, it was probably possible to find alternative "good enough" solutions at lower price. It comes down to assessing which works the best in terms of cost/effectiveness. <br /><br />Regarding Bushmaster, i don't know if you are aware that 24 were ordered as UOR for use by the SAS, in 2008. <br />Reportedly fitted with RWS with .50 machine gun. <br /><br />The Bushmaster is probably worth some serious thought for MRV-P, since it has already developed many of the variants that would be needed for the British Army, such as Ambulance, Command/Radio, Pioneer vehicle, even Mortar vehicle. Would be quite a good solution, i think.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-52719613660281714252012-06-18T01:10:45.165+02:002012-06-18T01:10:45.165+02:00Wouldn't a bushmaster IMV have done the same j...Wouldn't a bushmaster IMV have done the same job at a fraction of the price?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-71403191570346490472012-06-17T22:28:08.121+02:002012-06-17T22:28:08.121+02:00On open terrain the Foxhound i'd want is the F...On open terrain the Foxhound i'd want is the Fire Support variant. Configured like a Jackal or WMIK, but with up to two more mounts for weapons and much greater mine protection. <br /><br />As to the Foxhound Patrol, yes, it is mainly for urban applications indeed. <br />But i can also see it replacing the 4 Land Rovers currently used by RECCE elements in Light Role infantry battalions. For that and a few other roles, it is perfect. <br />What puzzles me is the cost, and the rumor of its protection level being 3. If it really is STANAG 3, it is not at all revolutionary, and its advantages reduce to the electronic configuration and with the APC-arrangement of the seats for the dismounts. <br />A bit too little for almost 1 million apiece.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-5863204637503135532012-06-17T21:50:31.885+02:002012-06-17T21:50:31.885+02:00I think the Foxhound has a niche useage manily for...I think the Foxhound has a niche useage manily for urban warfare not for open plains ie Basra not Afganistan, i cant see it being developed much further. so the spv 400 and the spv 600 might as you say become more attractive, but there is an outsider which is doing surprisely well is the creation Zephyr SPV, it was entered for the LPPV trials but virtually ignored (including myself). but is now a fully developed vehicle in both 4x4 AND 6x6 varients, with fully drawn up designs for the MRV-P, while the others are are still on paperianBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-2017757927518337362012-06-17T20:40:19.764+02:002012-06-17T20:40:19.764+02:00According to Force Protection, it can take a RWS o...According to Force Protection, it can take a RWS or a shielded gun ring if you place it in the middle, like on Hummer and so along. <br />Even if, looking at the video, it does seem a bit narrow and high to be stable, already as it is. I'm hoping the engineers know better, though...! <br /><br />I think operational use is going to tell us if it is the right vehicle. For sure, at 900.000 pounds each it is expensive like all hell. Gotta hope that it wins other orders, export ones as well, to shove that price down some, or it will never, never, never be affordable in the numbers needed. <br /><br />The US JLTV is aiming for 250.000 dollars unit price, for christ's sake. You can buy a Mastiff for around 500.000 pounds, if i remember correctly. <br />A Panther costs 405.000 pounds including RWS. <br /><br />Foxhound better prove really awesome, or it will be really, really hard to swallow the price. <br /><br />Interestingly, in the ongoing trials for Multi Role Vehicle - Protected (MRV-P) at Millbrook, the Army has been trialing the Supacat SPV400, which rivaled the Ocelot/Foxhound for the patrol vehicle requirement but was not chosen. <br /><br />Now, with a 6x6 version offered, which would be great for many utility roles destined to MRV-P, the SPV400 might become a lot more attractive. Especially if it costs less. <br /><br />So, to conclude: Foxhound has been presented so far as the be all, end all of its category. <br />It'll better prove true, or it'll be a major pain in the ass.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-54049133601162585972012-06-17T16:03:08.920+02:002012-06-17T16:03:08.920+02:00I would like to see at least a armoured platt moun...I would like to see at least a armoured platt mount, but looking at the vid, i think it would be top heavy. Once again have we picked the right vehicle?ianBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-40977258042045014252012-06-17T15:04:14.498+02:002012-06-17T15:04:14.498+02:00"I'm not aware of any brits who have been..."I'm not aware of any brits who have been killed or wounded whilst manning pintle mounts." <br /><br />That does not mean it does not happen. It would be nothing short of a miracle if no overwatch gunner in such exposed position had been hurt. <br />I do not think it is the case.Gabrielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623558391676151582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-442909239199162925.post-46818599742026060472012-06-17T14:48:18.695+02:002012-06-17T14:48:18.695+02:00I'm not aware of any brits who have been kille...I'm not aware of any brits who have been killed or wounded whilst manning pintle mounts.<br /><br />RWS, or even a gun shield would be nice, but needed?<br /><br />I'm more concerned that its only armed with GPMG.<br />Although it depends what else is moving with itTrThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07316335177828136131noreply@blogger.com