urbanf@yj.data.nokia.fi (Urban Fredriksson) (01/19/91)
From: urbanf@yj.data.nokia.fi (Urban Fredriksson)
The army has put out a 450 million US$ contract
for a new Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Several
versions will be produced, but it's not yet
decided which. Proposed are a troop-carrying
version, armed with a cannon up to 40 mm; a
command vehicle; mortar; anti-aircraft; possibly
anti-tank missile. All will be in the 20 ton
range. Looks something like a smallish Merkava.
High consideration has been given to "low-observable
characterics", nobody has said for sure, but
we have been led to believe that means both IR
and radar.
Stirling-powered subs
The navy has had a Stirling-powered submarine on
trial for about a year now. A regular sub was
lengthened about 8 m, where two Sterling generators
placed, in addition to the normal diesel engine.
The Stirlings are almost totally vibration-free
and very silent. They run on diesel fuel and liquid
oxygen, so they considerably increases the time
between snorkeling.
All future Swedish subs will be Stirling-powered,
this beeing a very good alternative to nuclear
(which we don't have).
Side-keel hovercraft
A test-rig for a stealth ship is under construction.
It's a 22 m, 140 ton side-keel hovercraft, with no
open deck space, rather box-like and angular. All
equipment (sensors, weapons) except the gun turret
is retractible or kept under a lid. The hull looks
something like a catamaran, with very narrow hulls.
They protrude 1,6 m down when at rest, have skirts
between them front and aft, protrude 0,5 m when the
lifting fan is running. Propulstion is by two
hydro-jets, which is quiet, and good for agility.
Urban
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| Urban Fredriksson | "So; you think he deserves to die. |
| Nokia Data, Stockholm | Those who died, but deserved to |
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| not my organization's. | -attributed to Gandalf |
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