Think Defence

Yet another Cold War anti massed armour weapon, the ATACMS launched Brilliant Anti Tank (BAT), as shown in this marketing video. Cold War concepts back in fashion!

The Amazing ELCAS Causeway - Think Defence The US ELCAS modular pier is the modern manifestation of the D Day Mulberry Harbour system.

The Expeditionary Elevated Causeway (ELCAS) is an impressive portable modular causeway capable of reaching 900m from the shoreline, allowing small vessels to dock and unload their cargo.

Whilst everyone focuses on more active countermeasures, some pricier than others, I would like to put in a good word for cheap as chips and available now

We might even use a heavy lift drone to place a weighted connection point, numerous options

And can be used with extension poles for higher ceilings or other fixing point

Powder actuated fixing kits are cheap

Some form of power actuated fixing could be used

Or even between buildings

One area that might benefit from more expensive equipment is when moving through an urban environment. Gaps to protect could be small, a window or door, for example

Fixings and poles can be a bit more varied, and probably where the ease of use and speed can be maximised. Simple knots, clips, connectors, and tensioners are, as above, cheap as chips and readily available, as are telescopic poles.

Cordage, take your pick from the many readily available, or some pre stretched Dyneema braid, as with nets and meshes, there is a vast array of options, none of them expensive

The same with bird netting, non woven windbreak mesh, and even pond netting, there is a massive choice of non-metal nets and meshes available from numerous industries

But if not, there are industries that might provide some alternatives. Geotextiles like grass protection mesh, triaxial geogrids, and even nursery shade mesh could be tested, the latter readily available in large rolls.

The mesh or net itself should be lightweight, cheap, available in different roll sizes and colours, robust enough, and did I mention, cheap. Cam nets immediately spring to mind, they are in service, ubiquitous even. The more sophisticated ones have thermal defeat measures as well

What might be useful to trial and bring into service is a 'kit' of parts, just issue them to units with some examples of use, and let them get on with it. The components could be lightweight poles, low stretch cordage or braid, the nets themselves, and fixings/connectors of various types.

For hasty positions, and in urban areas, rapidly emplaced counter drone mesh might present a different set of challenges

But I think it would be remiss to not go cheap, and invest in meshes, nets, and means to affix and suspend them. For fixed positions, they can be improved over time

For NATO forces, we might argue the lesson from Ukraine is not to fight in the same way, but even the most sceptical observer will acknowledge that drones are here to stay, and have to be dealt with. RF-DEW, ECM, lasers, missiles and automatic weapons, all have their place

Both Russia and Ukraine have evolved these concepts, clearly, they seem them as an effective and economical means of providing one layer of protection

For done dropped munitions, the defeat mechanism is a little more complicated, as a dropped mortar bomb might be more effective if your mesh creates an airburst effect.

The defeat mechanism for FPV type drones is to either ensnare their rotors if they are exposed, or provide a physical impediment to their progress for those with rotors shrouds or guards. This provides stand-off distance, and stops them entering enclosed spaces

Accepting that a mesh net of some sort is only one part of a solution, perhaps the best way to visualise the full range is to use the survivability onion. Everything from ECM to hunting down and killing the operators has a role, and so do passive measures like nets or meshes

We have all seen the images of vehicle counter UAS dropped munitions and FVP cages, and to some extent, the same evolution has happened for fixed field defences. Simple cam nets have been augmented with stronger mesh

𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗

Lets discuss…

Counter Drone Mesh for field defences and urban areas

If we think about mobility in the northern forests of Europe, something like the Alstor 833 mini forwarder, as shown in this marketing video might be a better option than a quad and trailer. Yes or no?

Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) - Think Defence Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA)

Probably one of the best things the MoD has ever done that no one knows about, Generic Vehicle Architecture

Click to read more

This brief video illustrates a long range rocket, LORA, test fired from an adapted merchant vessel

This short clip illustrates the British Army Swingfire wire guided anti tank guided weapon, seeing service as late as the 2003 Iraq War, it offered some unique features and an excellent track record

Land Precision Strike - Think Defence Land Precision Strike will rapidly engage relocatable high value targets in warfighting and lower intensity operations

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗘

An emerging requirement for magic murder missiles

Explore the options ➡️

Multi Role Vehicle (Protected) (MRV-P) - Think Defence The Multi-Role Vehicle — Protected (MRV-P) was a British Army vehicle programme, now cancelled

Examine the history of the long since cancelled Multi Role Vehicle (Protected) programme

Click to read ➡️

www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/10/mult...