Arnold Defense is unveiling a concept named the FLETCHER 2.75-inch/70mm weapon system, which can be mounted on land-based military vehicles as well as, potentially, marine and littoral platforms.

The FLETCHER concept is supported by a team of global defence industry companies working together under Arnold’s leadership to combine their complimentary expertise. The full team composition has yet to be announced however, at this stage, Arnold are able to confirm the involvement of Military Systems Group, Nammo and Supacat.

Working together, the team is able to provide a full-system approach to FLETCHER ranging from design and integration through testing, validation and manufacture into ammunition and through-life support.

Traditionally, 2.75in rocket systems have been used as an area suppression weapon, ordinarily deployed by aviation assets. The team has turned this concept on its head with the advancement of guided rocket technology to meet the modern demands of land-based, vehicle mounted and dismounted asymmetric warfare, for special and conventional forces.

FLETCHER allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. It employs an existing suite of guidance modules, motors and warheads which are already used in well-known programmes and are readily available to global forces. Working in-concert with world-class designation equipment, FLETCHER is a fully integrated weapon system that can engage targets at ranges up to 6.5km giving land forces capability that previously required the deployment of air assets.

Currently in the concept phase of development, a demonstrator fit of FLETCHER can be seen on the Supacat stand at DSEi (N9-360) mounted to the Supacat LRV 600, a lightweight Special Forces platform. Arnold staff is on hand to explain the system to visitors and specific briefings can be facilitated, by appointment.

“FLETCHER is an exciting new development for Arnold Defense and our team partners,” Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense, said. “We’re already exceedingly well established in the air environment with our rocket systems being used on air platforms globally. Moving that success into the land environment with our 2.75in rocket systems fitted to wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as in a dismounted role, will provide ground forces with an entirely new capability. There is further development work required but if all goes well, we’re expecting to have the system ready for sale towards the end of 2018.”

www.monch.com brings together key developments from the show. For more information please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #9/2017, available at the show on the Mönch stand S2-165; and frequently check back for more NEWS FROM THE FLOOR.

DPM