An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | MilitAry MediA Round Up "Spanish electronics expert Radetec has developed an AR15 rifle accessory that displays the number of rounds remain- ing inside the magazine as well as how many rounds have been fired in total… The unit is driven by two magnets… inside the magazine. When the gun is fired or the quick activation button is pushed, the number will show on the wireless display for one second and then return to sleep mode… The battery life on this will last up to seven years with moderate use." Gun Trade World, Gear Guide 2014. Photo; www.radetec.com "on 12 December 2013, the first F125 frigate baden-Württemberg appeared in hamburg. 'The F125 is a completely new type of frigate with numerous technologi- cal innovations.' Most characteristic of the new frigate is the… concept allowing longer deployments in interna- tional stabilisation, peacekeeping and counter terrorism missions. The ship will be able to support up to 50 special forces and there will be adequate space to accommodate two Mh90 helicopters. The propulsion system will enable the ship to conduct missions extending up to 24 months without any embarkation." Military Technology, Issue 2, 2014. Photo; ARGE F125 "Revision Military has recently received an order to equip the Swiss Armed Forces with 290,000 pieces of the Sawfly ballistic Goggle. Switzerland had already ordered 10,000 Desert Locust (pictured) goggles in 2008. The latest genera- tion darken and lighten automatically in response to chang- ing light. In addition, a heads-up-display can be displayed in the glasses. This development is (also) part of the US Future Soldier Programme." Military Technology, Issue 2, 2014. Photo; www.revisionmilitary.com "In a bid to continue its mission to reduce the weight of personal kit, the MoD has turned its attention to the design of bullets. The department is working with bAE Systems' munitions section to make conventional small- arms cartridges lighter, which currently account for around 50 per cent of a bullet's mass." Soldier, February, 2014. "The city of Darwin officially welcomed home the last formed body of Australian Defence Force personnel to serve in Uruzgan province with a parade... The local community lined the streets of Darwin's central business district… in tribute to the returned servicemen and women. More than 250 ADF personnel, predominantly Army members, took part in the parade, to formally recognise the service and achievements of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Group… who deployed to Afghanistan in 2013." Photo & Text; www.army.gov.au/Our-work/News-and-media, March, 2014. "Russia's Navy (RN) is expected to receive 40 new warships and aux- illary vessels in 2014. In addition to surface ships of various classes, the RN will also commission the third Borey class nuclear pow- ered ballistic missile submarine, the Vladamir Monomakh and a Varshavyanka class diesel electric submarine." Military Technology, Issue 2, 2014. "A piece of historic weaponry has gone on display at the Imperial War Museum North in Manches- ter. The First World War Webley Mk V revolver belonging to JRR Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, will be available to view permanently. The firearm has a link to the author's work because Tolkien, who served as a signals officer in The Lancashire Fusiliers, started writing early versions of his mythological masterpieces while recovering from trench fever, which he contracted at the Battle of the Somme in 1916." Soldier, February, 2014. "Our planned 12 ballistic-missile submarines will provide strategic deterrence into the 2080's. As we debate the merits of various programmes over coming years, we must not lose sight of the fact that they guarantee our very existence, deterring potential en- emies from using weapons with unimaginable consequences." Proceedings, The Independent Forum of the Sea Services, Febru- ary, 2014. "The Australian Defence Force will send two RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft to Malaysia to assist in the search and rescue effort for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370." Australian Defence Magazine, March, 2014.

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