Are the Bradleys in for Upgunning?
Bradley with Kongsberg Remote Turret demonstrated in Fort Benning
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| A Bradley Fighting Vehicle mounted with an XM813 30-mm weapon system fires rounds and hits a downed helicopter from more than 1,000 meters away during a demonstration for the XM813 Sept. 10 at Fort Benning's Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex. (Photo Credit: Markeith Horace)tion |
US Army RDECOM (Army Research Institute) has been working on an initiative for researching advanced lethality and accuracy for medium caliber weapon systems.
The subject of the initiative concentrates on the XM813 30mm cannon. XM813 is a derivative of the Mk44 chaingun from ATK. XM813 can be described as the Stretch Mk44 with dual recoil mechanisms, closed bolt operation for first round select, linkless feed, integral mount and air burst munition capability.
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XM813 30mm ChainGun with Dual Buffers and Integral Mount
On September 10th, Capabilities and Development Integration Directorate organized an activity to demonstrate XM813's capabilities, integrated on the Kongsberg MCT-30 Remote Turret.
The same turret has been demonstrated on Stryker 8x8 sometime ago as described in this blog.
For the demonstration, the XM813 mounted Bradley Fighting Vehicle fired a series of three engagements at approximately 1,400 to 1,500 meters from the target.
The same turret has been demonstrated on Stryker 8x8 sometime ago as described in this blog.
For the demonstration, the XM813 mounted Bradley Fighting Vehicle fired a series of three engagements at approximately 1,400 to 1,500 meters from the target.
Looking at the ARDEC effort and this demonstration, some remarks I want emphasize:
- Is the US Army seriously evaluating upgunning Bradley?
- The caliber seems to be the 30mm, not larger.
- Looking at Kongsberg's marketing in US and the demonstrations, is the unmanned turret a serious candidate instead of the conventional 2-Men turret?