Greek company to supply US Army with anti-RPG kits (330 mil USD)

[enallos]

In the context of a December 2006 deal, valued at 330 million USD with the US company Raytheon, Soukos Robots S.A. began to export products (kits) of special anti- RPG technology that is intended for the protection of combat vehicles and helicopters of the US Army. The effectiveness of the technology in question was confirmed after certified and successful trials were carried out in firing ranges in the USA. At this point it deserves to mark the continuous support of the hellenic MoD and more specifically the defence aquisitions directorate (ΓΔΑΕΕ).

At the same time, the greek company Soukos Robots finds itself in negotiations on extension of her collaboration with the American company and in further programs of high technology in the defence sector, which are of utmost importance for the US Army.

http://www.eleftheria.gr/viewarticle...7&CategoryID=7

[sammy03]

Is this company based in Greece? I hear it first time.

[RSone]

The name sounds Greek to me, although you're probably a better judge of that than me.

[sammy03]

The name sounds Greek to me, although you're probably a better judge of that than me.

I read the article and it says that the company is based in Larisa, a greek city.
I am happy to hear that because we don't have a lot "heavy industry" in Greece.

[Raven_gr]

Here is how it works

http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2006134407

It comprises of a protective grid (12) of special configuration and hardness. In the interspaces (19) of the grid (12) there exists a polyester foam (13) for its adequate electrical insulation. The grid (12) possesses a serrate conductive entrance (14) on the side of rocket impact (40) and a conductive cathode (15) on its other side. All the electrodes (23) are connected with an electronic control unit (16) in order for the data to be transferred from the impact surfaces to this unit. The unit (16) is programmed to terminate the electric energy produced by the piezoelectric crystal to an ignition head of the Rocket Propelled Grenade RPG when this rocket strikes against the conductive entrance (14) of the protective grid (12). It can be used for the protection against the lethal Rocket propelled grenades RPG.

So it neutralises the detonator of the rocket. No detonation whatsoever.

[Mu-Meson]

^^^ Awesome. That's a very smart, and original approach to take. I wonder what the effectiveness of such a passive system is.

[phoebus]

Some nice images from the WIPO link that Raven provided





Here's the pdf in greek:
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/images4/PA.../25/014125.pdf

[Zeev]

sounds like a good point for greek military industries..

[Vorian]

Good news...I hope the Greek army also purchases this

[signatory]

Cool. First time I heard about this, that I remember.

[Rapier55]

NG finally aired an episode showcasing some of DARPA's projects. One of them was an Anti-RPG kit similiar to this Greek kit. There's no upload of the video but here's a screenshot of one of the early test.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...w#tab-Photos/5

I believe the next airing is this Saturday (12/6) at 11 AM.

[Peris]

they also produce a special facility for live fire drills

http://www.soukosrobots.gr/def_cat_prod.asp?id=35

[enallos]

they also produce a special facility for live fire drills

http://www.soukosrobots.gr/def_cat_prod.asp?id=35

That's very interesting! Thanks

[phoebus]

Some related news.

Soukos Robots carries out tests with Raytheon
06/12/2008
Athens

Soukos Robots Technology held successful tests at a New Mexico rocket range of in the USA. According to the company, "extensive tests were carried out at a rocket range in the U.S. In the context of the cooperation of Soukos Robots with the American company Raytheon".
The efficiency of tests by Soukos Robots of special anti-RPG technology for air interception was confirmed by Raytheon and by U.S. government spokespersons. According to the same announcement, after the success of the tests, Soukos Robots and Raytheon will prepare specific applications for the U.S. Army.

In an announcement, Soukos Robots stressed the support provided by the General Management of Defensive Equipment and Investments (GMGEI) of the Ministry of National Defense and the American Embassy. It also mentions contribution by Piraeus Bank, which was the companys main financial partner. Soukos Robots, a Greek company headed by Kostas Soukos, was established in 1979 and is active the fields of design and construction of high-end robotic technology systems for a wide range of applications within the defensive industry and industrial equipment.

In the last few years, the companys research has focused on the design and implementation of the latest type of defensive equipment.
The list of systems in this field includes "Achilles" an automotive bucket for bomb disposal and for the safe transportation of explosive devices to explosion units. "Achilles" is a special vehicle with a container attached for the safe transport of any kind of explosives or ammunition. The vehicle also features a robotic system designed for the collection, storage and safe transport of explosive and unsafe ammunition. The bucket has been tested with 7 lbs of explosives, type (c4) or of equal explosive power of other types of explosives. Another system is "Hercules", a robot designed for transporting and safely defusing any kind of explosive or abandoned luggage in public areas, even if these contain chemical or biological substances. This device is already in use at the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos."

http://www.greekinsight.com/?conID=101&...18354479624dbce

[Pezy]

In December 2006, Raytheon signed a 31 million USD contract with Soukos Robots - a Greek company - in order to buy a Greek anti-RPG patent or to co-produce the latter under license. Further details of the deal weren't made officially public but it was rumoured that the prospect and the total sum of the deal was more than 31 millions. If the "330,000,000 dollars" isn't a typo then the speculations were right. A huge success especially since this system will provide protection to US Army vehicles and helicopters.

http://thessaloniki.usconsulate.gov/trade_greece.html - March 12, 2007
(...) the recent decision by Raytheon, a leading American defense contractor, to license, develop and sell equipment and technology from Larissa based Soukos Robots. This agreement is the first time a Greek company has licensed technology to an American defense contractor -- instead of the other way around -- and will likely raise the profile of northern Greece as a potential source of high-tech products and services.
(...)

http://athens.usembassy.gov/speech_20070606.html - June 6, 2007
(...)
The U.S. Army has been impressed by innovative armor technology developed by the high-tech Greek firm Soukos Robots. Raytheon and Soukos reached a joint venture agreement to commercialize this promising technology and I hope to see big procurements down the road.
(...)