ADATS-MMEV Turret

[Capt Gideon]

This is an updated version of the original ADATS turret presented in 2005 and adapted for use by the Morrow Project.

Morrow Project ADATS-MMEV Turret

When the Morrow Project first adopted the ADATS (Air Defense Anti-Tank System) that used the MIM-146A missile it had been in service with the Canadian armed forces for 10 years. While normally vehicle mounted, there is also a fixed, semi-mole installation for defense of bases as well. In September of 2005 an updated improved version of ADAT, MMEV (Multi-Mission Effect Vehicle) was put forward for both new production and as an upgrade for existing systems. The updated system met with no takers, but in mid-2006 the project approached the manufacturers with interest in updating its systems and purchasing some additional systems, with some special modification using project technology.
The ADATS-MMEV is capable of handling several different missile and rocket systems. In addition to the MIM-146A ADAT missile with PLH/PIRH (Passive Laser Homing/Passive Infrared Homing) it added the MIM-146B which, has the seeker from an AIM-120 AMRAAM with I/M/TARH (Inertial/Mid-Course Data Update/Terminal Active Radar Homing) meaning the missile is launched on a programmed course that can be updated in flight and then switches its own radar on to lock-on to the target and home in. This increased the range of the system because the missile no longer depended on the reflected laser light to find the target. This was great vs. air targets but its range vs. ground targets was only slightly better then the laser guided version. The system added the ability to fire the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles which are also laser guided (one version is radar guided) and is not only an anti-tank missile, but has special bunker buster warhead and Thermobaric warhead versions. The upgrade also included the addition of two M260 seven-tube lightweight rocket pods for Hydra 70 2.75 inch (70 mm) rockets. These rockets can be used in direct fire out to 3,000 meters, or they can be fired in-directly like artillery rockets with a range of up to 12,000 meters against area targets. There are a wide variety of Hydra 70 rockets that can be used including the Talon laser guided (range 6000 meters), High Explosive, White Prosperous, Illumination Star Shell, Cluster submunition with nine dual purpose grenades, Smoke, and a Flechette warhead. Also added is a remotely operated M240 machine gun with 200 rounds over the left side missile mount to deal with infantry. It has the ability to train and elevate and depress separately from the main turret, but is limited by is location. ON the right side opposite the machine gun is a space for a twin rack (not shown) of FIM-92F Stinger infrared homing short-range surface to air missiles. These are ideal for engaging small targets like RPV (drones) where an ADAT missile would just be a waist.
The last weapon system added to the turret is a change to the units laser system. The ADATS already possessed a high-powered laser for target designation-illumination and range finding, the project simply replaced it with one with greater options. A modified 200Kw Laser Mark I was used to replace the original laser system. Not only does it handle all the original functions in its low power mode, but also in its high-power mode it is both an offensive and defensive weapon. Even if the turret has expended all of its missiles and rockets, the Mark I laser can be used to engage enemy ground and air targets at 5,000 m (3.1 miles). The laser can be targeted with the aid of the advanced radar, optical sensors or even by track-to-fire in which a low power laser beam is used to lock onto the target, once the reflected energy from the laser is registered by the turret, the high powered beam immediately fires. The laser can also be used to shoot down incoming projectiles, giving the vehicle its own point defense system.
The MMEV turret is unmanned and is equipped with an new X-Tar three dimensional air and surface search tactical scan radar. The radar has Search-on-the-Move and Search-while-Track ability for twenty-four targets and can engage up to eight targets at the same time. The radar has a range of 35 kilometers (22 miles) to detect a medium airborne target (fighter jet). It can detect small air targets (drone, missile) at 20 km, large ground targets (building) 25 km, a large vehicle (tank/truck) at 15 km, a small vehicle at 10 km, a large animal at 6 km and a human size target at 3 km. Terran and weather can reduce these ranges. This is a pulse Doppler radar and can be used to track weather as well. The turret has EO/TV (Electro-Optical Television imaging), Imaging Thermal Infrared (see heat) and FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared/advanced nightvision) in the front optics unit opposite the laser emitter, which can be used for targeting and observation. They possess up to x12 magnification.
The turrets weapons are all manually reloaded, requiring a team of two to climb up on the roof to reload the missile one at a time. It is possible for a single individual to reload the Hydra 70 rockets, the M240 machinegun and the Stinger missiles unaided. A refit kit was also included with the turret that allowed the system to utilize BGM-71 TOW wire guided missiles. It required the fitting of a TOW launch tube and electronics interface unit. Likewise it is possible to fit additional M260 rocket pods in place of ADAT or Hellfire missiles. This makes the MMEV Turret the most versatile heavy turrets available to the Morrow Project Teams.

[ArmySGT.]

Isn't that an M2HB with solenoid (instead of trigger) back plate as the remote operated MG in the photo?

I have always been in favor of installing capable AD systems on anything that can roll.

I like this. The article points out that if this vehicle is knocked out then you lose all the capabilities. My counter to that is field more vehicles. Independent battalions of these in the Regular Army like there is of ADA and Artillery units. There is organic ADA and AT at every level of the Soviet Army, a lesson learned in WW2.

For the Project. Yes, it is kinda of "Eggs in one basket" approach. The Project suffers from a significant manpower shortage and equipment shortage. Anything that can pull off more than one job moderately well is welcome.

[Capt Gideon]

It may well be a M2HB set for remote operation instead of a M240. The source material wasn't clear only referring to it as a remotely operated machine-gun. So in all honesty you could put either and sense the M2HB does have a 6000 round box available that could be adopted for use.

I do like this for the rear turret on a MARS One, Science One or a Recon One (Landmaster from Damnation Ally)

Here are some pics of the 6000 round ammo box for the .50BMG (12.7x99mm) rounds. These are made by a company called Live Resin and are 1/35th scale.