Bradley Short Range Air Defense & Anti-UAS Concept
M-SHORAD
M-SHORAD
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| BRADLEY VSHORAD & Anti-UAS Concept BAE Systems unveiled a new Bradley concept in this year's AUSA Exhibition. This is a revived variant of the now phased-out M6 Linebacker that had four stinger missiles instead of the two TOW missiles. The new concept is called as 'Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense' M-SHORAD. M-SHORAD is a sensor heavy platform. M-SHORAD Bradley is armed with an OATK M230LF 30mm chaingun and 4 Stinger short range surface-to-air missiles. The reason, this vehicle carrier M230LF instead of 25mm M242 is the upcoming proximity fused ammunition for the M230. The proximity ammunition will enable sensing of the target and air burst fragmentation that will provide a much better capability to engage air targets. From an OATK company announcement: "The company is also developing an advanced proximity-fuzing capability for a new round that will provide the company’s M230 Chain Gun with improved sensing of target signatures in high clutter environments, combined with an air-bursting capability. The company will demonstrate the proximity round during the 2018 Bushmaster User Conference next spring..." Another capability that is evident on this Bradley is the Anti-Unmanned Aerial System setup on a mast at the back of the turret.  From the product sheet: The AUDS system combines electronic-scanning radar target detection, electro-optical (EO) tracking/classification and directional RF inhibition capability. AUDS is a smart-sensor and effector package capable of remotely detecting small UAS and then tracking and classifying them before providing the option to disrupt their activity. The system may be used in remote or urban areas to prevent UASs being used for terrorist attacks, espionage or other malicious activities against sites with critical infrastructure. AUDS not only works to cover your airspace, but also as a ground surveillance system as well. The system consists of a radar with 8km range; an EO package with thermal imager, day camera and video-tracker; and an RF Inhibitor to disrupt the drone's C2 channels. An in addition to those sensors, there are multiple pMHR radars located on the sides of the turret. MHR is an acronym for Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR). The MHR radar is an S Band, Software-Defined, Pulse-Doppler, AESA, GaN based radar – which delivers sophisticated beam forming capabilities and advanced signal processing. It provides multiple missions on each radar platform and can combine C-UAS and C-RAM operational missions on the same radar, thus delivering ideal organic, tactical surveillance solutions for force protection missions. The pMHR radar is a lightweight version of the MHR, enabling the portability of the system, and is an ideal solution for force protection missions on the move.  |