Page 49 - Military Technology 12/2018

Features MT 12/2018 · 47

originally designed for 1980-era coun-
On delivery to the German Army: the LEGUAN bridge- ter-mobility/area denial operations is
laying tank creates enhanced capability for VJTF 2019. expected to come into focus: mine-lay-
(Photo: KMW) ing systems like the British SHIELDER
ordered in 1995 or Germany’s
SKORPION MiWs (Minenwurfsystem).
The SHIELDER system, comprising up
to 40 dispensers for six mines each
mounted on the flat bed version of the
Alvis Stormer (now BAE Systems Global
Combat Systems) tracked AFV, was
used by the British Army to create an-
ti-tank barriers quickly. As to the similar
SKORPION system, it was suggested
that it takes time and additional resourc-
es to bring an appropriate quantity of
vehicles into full-scale operation. Most
of the systems were reduced or com-
pletely given up.
The military engineering community
appreciates that industry is backing up
with innovative concepts and solutions,
e.g. to re-shape and empower military
bridging capabilities and re-establish
viable counter-mobility abilities. Most
supporting units had a central role in ensuring the movement of Russian of the technologies that will determine the success of military engineer-
armour under simulated fire and cover from adversary ISR. NATO was ing operations in the next decade are already in play; but, battle planners
often warned that previous requirements often did not match with threats need to rethink how NATO’s long-lasting stabilisation missions – with a
of this kind. So it makes sense to rethink the usefulness of counter-mo- contingent system in a static area of operations – can be switched to an
bility. Explosive and non-explosive means (area and route obstacles) can emphasis on deterrence and collective defence, meaning the renewal of
reduce enemy tempo. The UK MoD’s Dstl notes that this can be achieved capabilities for mobility and counter-mobility in particular. Some of which,
by a variety of means, including target-operated explosive devices (artil- like amphibious bridging and ferrying systems, are gaining increasing mo-
lery delivery, off-road shaped charges and buried pattern mines), anti-tank mentum. There still is a gap in the adequate numbers of such systems in
mines, and rapid cratering kits denying high-speed avenues. Equipment NATO.