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New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/abrams-tanks-may-have-some-problems-in-ukraine-how-serious-are-they-technology-org/

Abrams Tanks May Have Some Problems in Ukraine - How Serious Are They? - Technology Org

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are using a bunch of different types of Western tanks. Those include German Leopard 1 and 2 tanks, British Challenger 2 and, of course, at least 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks. All of these tanks have certain peculiarities about them and crews have to be prepared for each of these types individually. However, the Abrams main battle tank may pose the most serious problems.

Ukraine absolutely needs main battle tanks. The more the better. And the more advanced the better. However, the West lived in peace for so long that the tank reserves are not that great. NATO countries don’t have that many tanks to spare actually.

On top of that, the choices of which tanks to supply need to be made in a smart way, because Ukraine does not have any experience with the Western-designed tanks, there is no servicing or ammo supply infrastructure there.

M1 Abrams tanks are special in many ways. They also require special care. Image credit: Oregon National Guard via Wikimedia

And now the Ukrainian Ground Forces have a mish-mash of tanks, which have their own peculiarities:

The Leopard 1A5 is not only the oldest in its architecture, but also has a rifled 105 mm gun. This means that it needs special ammunition, which is not common in NATO anymore.

The Leopard 2s are the most standard, but Ukraine is getting a bunch of different versions of this tank, including 2A4s, 2A5s, 2A5s (Stridsvagn 122) and 2A6s. There are differences between these versions that need to be learned in training.

The Challenger 2 is of the same era as the Leopard 2, but it uses a rifled 120 mm gun, which also required special ammunition.

Finally, the M1A1 Abrams can share ammo with the Leopard 2, but has a multi-fuel turbine engine, instead of a regular reciprocating engine with cylinders and pistons.

Abrams tanks can burn any fuel – diesel, petrol, vodka, doesn’t matter. They are powerful and resilient. However, these gas turbine engines do need a lot of care.

Forbes writes that despite the engines in the Abrams tanks costing an unbelievable amount of money, they can succumb to dust and debris if the crews don’t maintain the filters very well. This is something crews learn during long months of training, but the Ukrainian tankmen had to learn this very quickly.

If the tank filters are not cleaned every 12 hours or so, the damage can be so severe that the engine and possibly the transmission will need to be replaced. Obviously, in a battlefield that could bring the tank to a tragic ending.

How do you clean the filters? Ukrainian Abrams crews will have to rev the tank’s engine to redline twice a day to start the pulse-jet system and blow air through the filters clearing out the dust and debris.

Power unit of the Abrams tank out of the hull. Image credit: Lance Cpl. Zachery Laning via Wikimedia

Even with the filters being kept up to, the Arbams will cause some issues to the Ukrainian Ground Forces. These tanks use a lot of fuel and require deep maintenance, which will have to be performed in Poland. Getting them there will not be easy either, because the Abrams is rather heavy at over 62 tonnes.

However, the effectiveness of the main battle tank mostly depends on the tactics. And if the defenders of Ukraine manage to exploit the strong sides of the Abrams well, these tanks will do a lot of damage to the Russian invaders.

Written by Povilas M.

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New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/skynex-against-shaheds-ukraine-got-a-new-weapon-technology-org/

Skynex Against Shaheds - Ukraine Got a New Weapon - Technology Org

Back in December 2022, Germany revealed that it will provide Ukraine with two Skynex short-range air defence systems. This was basically a response to Russia’s kamikaze drone attacks that were destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. It was revealed now that the first Skynex system has been delivered to Ukraine at the end of last year.

The 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 cannon of the Skynex system on a truck chassis. All components of the Skynex system are mounted on HX trucks. Image credit: Rheinmetall via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

„Defense Express“ analysts say that this delivery was a bit unexpected, because Skynex wasn’t mentioned in the recent military aid packages. However, as said before, it was planned over a year ago. The second Skynex system should arrive in Ukraine in March. These systems are supplied by the German defence industry giant Rheinmetall and are paid for by the German government. It is estimated that the two systems will cost an astonishing 182 million euros.

It is an incredibly valuable tool though. A Skynex system includes four Revolver Gun Mk3 cannons, a CN-1 control centre, and an X-TAR3D radar all mounted on the HX truck chassis. The main advantages of this system are its mobility and ability to respond to different threats very quickly, whether it would be drones, like the Shahed-136, or even cruise missiles. With air-bursting ammunition, which basically creates an impenetrable cloud of shrapnel in the air, the Skynex guns can defeat even tiny targets at a distance of 4 km or more.

The 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 is, obviously, the dagger in this system, even though it would not work without the X-TAR3D target acquisition and tracking radar. These autocannons have an astonishing rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute. It is computer-controlled and estimates where it should fire in relation to the target position and speed in the sky.

The entire system of radars and guns is connected in a C2 network, shares data and works together to engage multiple targets at the same time. In simple terms, Shahed drones will not fly through an area protected by the Skynex systems.

The Skynex is a short-range system, armed with automatic guns – of course, it cannot defeat ballistic missiles. But such a high-tech weapon will be able to protect some sensitive areas in Ukraine that would be repeatedly attacked by Shahed drones.

Ukraine will likely position Skynex guns on the frequent routes of the drones, trying to intercept them on their way. Of course, these systems themselves may be targeted by Russia, which is why their positions will constantly change and you may not even see their pictures online.

Written by Povilas M.

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/us-developing-new-version-of-scary-abrams-main-battle-tank-technology-org/

US Developing New Version of Scary Abrams Main Battle Tank - Technology Org

The M1 Abrams has been in service since 1980. It is still one of the most capable main battle tanks in the world, but even the most common versions the M1A1 and M1A2 are starting to show signs of their design ageing. So, this tank needs to be upgraded, but how?

M1A1 Abrams – one of the most common versions of the American main battle tank. Image credit: Cpl. Paul S. Martinez via Wikimedia (Public Domain)

While the standard M1 Abrams has been in service since 1980, the most common versions are slightly younger. The M1A1 was produced from 1985 to 1992, and the M1A2 – from 1992. In general, the Abrams platform has proven its advantages in battles and so far surpasses the technology of potential enemies. However, it is clear that the Abrams must be developed further, but there are limitations to this.

It’s hard to believe, but the first Abrams weighed 55.7 tonnes. They were equipped with a 105 mm rifled gun and had slightly weaker armour. The M1A1 initially retained this weight, but the M1A1SA grew to 61.3 tonnes and the M1A2 – to 62 tonnes. And that weight gain continued little by little.

The M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams weighs about 67 tonnes. One can look at the tank’s mobility, maintained maximum speed and other dynamic characteristics, but one cannot ignore the fact that, being so heavy, the Abrams is a huge weight on the specialists of military logistics. The US wants to be able to operate globally, but moving such heavy tanks quickly is very difficult.

The General Dynamics M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tank. Image credit: GDLS

What is the path of modernization then? Well, upgraded tanks usually get heavier. Additional armour is attached to them because anti-tank weapons, including drones, are being developed faster than tanks. In the past, kilograms were saved by keeping relatively thinner armour on top, but now you can’t even do that – anti-tank drones are cheap and everywhere.

On 2023 September 6 The US Army announced that it had cancelled the planned M1A2 SEPv4 variant and would instead focus resources on the new M1E3 Abrams. The new model will have a modular architecture and will be lighter but with even better protection.

“The Abrams Tank can no longer grow its capabilities without adding weight, and we need to reduce its logistical footprint,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems. He said that the war in Ukraine showed that crews need to be protected better, but not with added armour.

The M1E3 Abrams is likely to rely heavily on active protection, which is lighter than conventional armour. The US Army promises that the Abrams will remain the most capable main battle tank in the world. The M1E3 version is planned to start service around 2030 and it will continue working well into the next decade.

Written by Povilas M.

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/self-driving-taxis-are-coming-to-new-york-city-but-will-need-safety-drivers-too-technology-org/

Self-driving taxis are coming to New York City, but will need safety drivers too - Technology Org

New York City has unveiled a new plan for permitting companies to trial autonomous taxi vehicles on its streets, mandating the presence of a human safety driver at all times.

Times Square, New York, USA. Image credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen via Unsplash, free license

In a bid to proactively address concerns surrounding fully autonomous vehicles, the city has established what it terms as a “stringent permitting program.” This initiative aims to ensure that applicants are sufficiently prepared to test their technology in the complex urban landscape of New York City, prioritizing safety and proficiency.

Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the inevitability of autonomous technology’s integration into the city’s transportation system, emphasizing the need to implement it responsibly.

The criteria for obtaining permits would require prior experience in autonomous vehicle testing, with companies mandated to supply data from previous trials, including incident reports and the frequency of safety driver interventions, commonly referred to as “disengagements.”

A notable stipulation of the new regulations is the exclusion of fully driverless vehicles from testing on public roads within the city limits. Instead, only vehicles equipped with safety drivers will be eligible for testing permits.

Only a few select companies, such as Waymo and Cruise, have introduced driverless vehicles, categorized as Level 4 automation, into the market. However, challenges concerning traffic congestion and safety have hindered their widespread adoption.

In a notable incident last October, a driverless Cruise vehicle in San Francisco dragged a pedestrian for over 20 feet along the street, prompting authorities to suspend the company’s operational permit. Similarly, a few months later, a driverless Waymo vehicle was involved in a minor collision with a bicyclist. Officials in San Francisco criticized both companies for impeding traffic flow and obstructing emergency vehicles and buses.

To preempt such issues, New York City has proposed a mandate requiring companies to maintain safety drivers in their vehicles at all times. Under Mayor Adams’ proposal, companies would still need to secure a permit from the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Moreover, applicants would be obligated to furnish details on the recruitment and training procedures of their safety drivers and commit to adhering to the latest best practices outlined by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

According to a spokesperson, data derived from autonomous vehicle (AV) testing will eventually be accessible through the city’s Open Data portal. As part of the application procedure, the Department of Transportation will assess requests from applicants regarding the confidentiality of specific data that may be withheld from disclosure.

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/himars-destroyed-a-modern-russian-electronic-warfare-system-technology-org/

HIMARS destroyed a modern Russian electronic warfare system - Technology Org

Electronic warfare systems do not fire shells, do not lay mines, do now launch missiles, but they can have devastating effects. Electronic warfare describes tools that basically work in the electromagnetic spectrum, jamming radio signals, disrupting communications, severing connections between unmanned systems and their operators and doing other dirty work. The Russian electronic warfare system RB-341B Leer-3 is an annoying thing like that and the defenders of Ukraine destroy them as soon as they find them.

Russian electronic warfare system RB-341V Leer-3 – this weapon has been in service since 2015. Image credit: Vitaly V. Kuzmin via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The defenders of Ukraine managed to detect and destroy the Russian electronic warfare system RB-341B Leer-3. Ukrainian soldier Mykola Kolesnyk said that the valuable Russian system was spotted by drones of the 129th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade playfully called “Luftwaffe”. They determined the coordinates of the Leer-3 and tracked the device until the moment of destruction.

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It only took one HIMARS missile to send this Leer-3 into Hell. But not only the electronic warfare system itself was eliminated. “The target was destroyed together with the operators,” said Mykola Kolesnyk. The crews of such systems are also extremely valuable targets, because they are highly trained professionals and that’s a finite resource.

The Leer-3 is a modern Russian electronic warfare and radio reconnaissance system operating in the GSM range. The Leer-3 has been in production since 2015.

The Leer-3 is capable of many different tasks. This system can suppress cell phone networks within a radius of about 6 km, send jamming signals and misleading messages, locate signal sources, and much more. The Leer-3 can identify locations with a high density of mobile devices and mark them as potential targets, because, of course, soldiers usually have many mobile devices.

This system can also act as an information transfer module, helping different units to coordinate their efforts and surveillance information. The Leer-3 is a bit of an unusual electronic warfare system, because it normally works with Orlan-10 drones. The Leer-3 crew normally consists of 5 people. It is mounted on the KamAZ-5350 6×6 chassis, so it can accelerate to 120 km/h and get ready for work in just 30 minutes after arriving at the designated place.

Ukraine is putting a lot of effort into destroying Russian electronic warfare systems, because they help the Russian invaders coordinate work between units, suppress Ukrainian communications, monitor mobile device gathering places, and disrupt the work of drones. Large electronic warfare systems are few and far between as they are expensive and their achievements are harder to sell to the policy makers than the work of artillery or missile systems.

Written by Povilas M.

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/israel-now-uses-mass-facial-recognition-in-the-gaza-strip-technology-org/

Israel now uses mass facial recognition in the Gaza Strip - Technology Org

Israel has discreetly initiated a widespread facial recognition program in the Gaza Strip, compiling a database of Palestinians without their awareness or authorization.

A video surveillance camera – illustrative photo. Image credit: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash, free license

As revealed by The New York Times, this initiative, developed after the October 7th incidents, utilizes technology from Google Photos along with a specialized tool from the Tel Aviv-based firm Corsight to detect individuals associated with Hamas.

The facial recognition program was established jointly with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Following the October 7th events, operatives from Israel’s Unit 8200, the primary intelligence unit of the Israeli Defense Forces, identified potential targets by scrutinizing security camera footage and content uploaded to social media by opposition groups. Additionally, soldiers solicited information from Palestinian detainees to identify individuals affiliated with the adversary.

Company Corsight, renowned for its technology’s capability to accurately recognize individuals with less than half of their face visible, utilized these images to develop a facial recognition tool for Israeli personnel operating in Gaza.

In order to expand the database and pinpoint potential targets, the Israeli military installed facial recognition cameras at checkpoints along major routes used by Palestinians to travel southward.

Soldiers recounted to the Times that Corsight’s technology sometimes yielded inaccurate results, especially when dealing with low-quality footage or obscured facial features. In certain instances, Corsight’s tool erroneously identified individuals as being linked to adversary groups.

In October, several hospitals in Israel began employing Corsight’s technology for patient identification, as reported by Forbes. Since then, Corsight’s technology demonstrated the capability to identify individuals “whose features had been impacted by physical trauma, and find a match amongst photos submitted by concerned family members.”

Corsight primarily targets governmental, law enforcement, and military applications. In 2020, the company, just one year old at the time, claimed its technology could identify faces even when masked. Two years later, Corsight purportedly embarked on developing a tool capable of constructing a person’s facial model based on their DNA. Last year, Corsight collaborated with the metropolitan police in Bogotá, Colombia, to locate suspects involved in murder and theft cases within the public transit system.

Written by Vytautas Valinskas