The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced a £15 million contract awarded to the defence supplier, Leonardo, based in Edinburgh.
The contract pertains to updating the Advanced Precision Shooter (APS) for the LG L118, a core system that has seen obsolescence since its introduction in 1999.
As outlined in the contract award notice:
“Updating of the obsolesce for the APS for the LG L118”
Leonardo is positioned as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the APS, which plays a pivotal role in the performance and operational effectiveness of the Light Gun. Over time, both the physical and software components of the APS have faced obsolescence issues.
Three key challenges were highlighted:
- The INU internal GPS, gyro, and operating boards need an upgrade. As integral parts of the broader INU system, only Leonardo holds the technical knowledge for the internal repair and enhancement of the system. “The INU internal GPS, gyro and operating boards must be upgraded.“
- The LDCU requires both hardware and software updates, including compatibility for Windows 10. This is essential for security accreditation and to fix major functional issues. “The upgraded LDCU must be compatible with the Laser Inertial Navigation Artillery Pointing System (LINAPS), a bespoke diagnostic software.“
- The MVR, a distinct piece of equipment, is essential to the APS’s functionality. The integration between the MVR and LINAPS is critical for maintaining the operational capability of the Light Gun. “If MVR is not integrated with the wider APS, Light Gun will have significant loss of operational capability.“
Given Leonardo’s unique position as the only supplier with the required technical expertise, and given the firm’s proven track record in handling similar upgrades for countries like New Zealand and Canada, the contract was awarded to them.
The MOD highlighted the potential risks if the MVR isn’t correctly integrated: “Should the MVR not be integrated correctly then the Light Gun cannot meet full operational capability.”
Consequently, the contract was negotiated without prior publication of a contract notice for technical reasons, adhering to specific regulations due to Leonardo’s unique capabilities regarding the APS system and the proprietary diagnostic software.
There was I thinking APS meant Active Protection System……so I was puzzled by the apparent headline that Mod had shifted away from TROPHY……all was revealed that there are two systems with the same acronym!
I was expecting usual army logic. Spend a ton of money testing something and perfecting it. Then just as it is about perfectly Gucci’d move onto an even more Blue Sky Gucci spec. Rinse and repeat.
You can tell I was never involved in land forces.
The military loves its acronyms, so the above APS which as you point out is a homophone of the other APS. But it gets worse, if I go on the British army website regards ARTILLERY AND AIR DEFENCE. I find this for APS: Royal Artillery L118 light guns are fitted with an automatic pointing system (APS), which enables the gun to be unlimbered and in action in 30 seconds. APS is based on an inertial navigation system, operated via a touch screen, it replaces the traditional dial sight. If I go to the Leonardo website i find… Read more »
Acronyms Proliferate Spontaneously.
Someone needs to sort out these TLAs!
Let’s hope the Mod know the difference between those acronyms.
And if they don’t.
Ministry of Defence acronyms and abbreviations
LINK
Haha
At some point there might be 2 active protection systems. If the military finds the budget and are sensible they will want a system available for non chally vehicles and no doubt wany a cheaper system.
True
Like most stand alone systems they become integrated and cheaper once the tech is understood.
The danger of acronyms, healthcare has any number of acronyms that are the same…generally crossing over different specialities….getting it wrong could lead to pain and some interesting none evidence based treatment plans.
It seems amazing that the MoD has taken 24 years to update such a crucial bit of kit as the L118 Advanced Precision Shooter, which is apparently “obsolete” Do they know that Windows 10 will also shortly be obsolete? This from the Microsoft website:- “Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. The current version, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10, and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date” We all know the security problems around Windows software. I should prefer to see a Linux type OS… Read more »
The actual integrated INU and GPS works perfectly adequately. The problem is when the kit goes U/S and is sent back to Leonardo for repair. The piece part spares e.g. circuit board components are no longer manufactured. As technology has moved on. Which means Leonardo are forced to cannibalised components from other U/S APS. This is sadly a problem that plagues all three services and is getting worse, due to the smaller fleet/bulk sizes of kit. The design organizations are more than happy to help support smaller fleets of kit within the UK’s forces, as it means they become single… Read more »
Thanks for the detailed reply. For a long time I’ve posted here about MoD incompetence and piss poor management of taxpayers money. I suppose the RA should be pleased that 24 years on, the L118 Advanced Precision Shooter gets an obsolecence upgrade.
It should also be noted that in the old days warehouses were full of spares.
T42 and Invincible class propellers are good examples of ridiculous overbuys.
It used to be that manufacturers and sub manufacturers had to guarantee parts and components supply for a Co reacted period. So there would be massive stockpiles of bits – just in case….
This lead to a crazy situation where items in mothballs still pulled a full parts trail. Warehouses full of the stuff.
One other thing that has put the kibosh on holding large quantities of supplies. Is that the MoD have to pay “taxes” on stored equipment. Which I find is crazy. This has led the MoD to quite rightly reduce stock holdings to reduce the amount paid to the Treasury. Going forward, as we’ve seen quite clearly from the war in Ukraine, is that you still need vasts amount of stocks to maintain equipment. As a military requirement just in time and leaning out spares is not only foolhardy but damn tight dangerous. Therefore this ridiculous stock hoarding tax needs to… Read more »
I’m mostly referring to manufacturers parts holdings – if you went to Ferranti there were buildings full of parts stored for MOD systems.
It was one of the reasons that early missile and radar systems were so crazy expensive – the parts tail was massive.
Conversely, as part of my staff tour at DE&S. Part of my remit was to manage in-service kit that was obsolescent. Some of this kit had been in service for over 40 years. The original manufacturer no longer existed, being subsequently bought out by larger companies. One of which was US based. Trying to get U/S kit refurbished or fixed was a nightmare, as some of it was still considered secret. Thereby trying to get agreements for shipment with the US State Department and then through US Customs could take months. It got worse when the whole Government shut down… Read more »
I should add that the problem has got a lot lot worse as the manufacturer of discreet components like traditional three and four pin power transistors has progressively ceased.
Components that you could readily buy off the shelf 10 years ago are NLA.
There are a few companies that will do short runs of these old school components for a heafty fee.
Some of the bespoke HF Radio sets on RN vessels had a massive power supply unit in the bottom draw of the equipment cabinet. They were used by the OEM because he bid low and won the contract to provide them. The PSU manufacturer was pretty much a bloke who worked in his shed making the things. The problems began when he died, the drawings and details of the PSU where not available from his estate (it was all in his very dead head!) and the things broke down with no means of getting the manufacturer to repair them. In… Read more »
The running of any windows software on military is not normally an issue as its
Lots of RN kit was running XP behind the screen for a long time. It was stable, reliable and did the job which was running the GUI. Thats all it needed to do.
Why change the name to some modern Gucci tech speak, my bro (the smart one of the family he went GCC RA) says APS is automatic position system, and always has been. It’s a gps system which knows where it is on the ground, to a 10 figure grid, and therefore can accurately calculate the range, direction and altitude to a target called on by the FOO or JTAC (to which I belong)! More modern private sector gobbledygook beloved by politicians and other no hopers who know sweet FA about the military!
I did notice that some of the L118s we gifted to Ukraine had APS included. The Supacat+105 combo would I feel be a winning combination for Ukraine.
It would be interesting to know if any Ukrainians have done our JTAC course?
Why are we preparing to fight the Ents?
As ever with this man’s Army, a very late upgrade and on an elderly platform that is ripe for replacement itself.
The gun itself is still a great weapon system, as its relatively light, fast firing and does have a number of different shells it can fire. It did sterling work in Afghan. Competition wise, it has a similar range to the Soviet era 122mm D74. But is outranged by the larger Soviet era 130mm M46. I do believe its days are numbers when used by a static battery. As is any static battery when you are facing loitering suicide drones. But it may still be useful when combined with a “light” all terrain vehicle, such as the Supacat HMT600. Qinetiq… Read more »
Interesting but surely 120mm is a mortar calibre and not an agreed NATO artillery piece calibre?
It has puzzled many that we have not adopted the BAE M777 155mm towed howitzer. The M982 Excalibur smart round was used by USMC against insurgents in Helmand at an impressive range of 36 km.
I’m not sure why they’re looking at a 120mm calibre. It might be that the barrel and breech block is still only slightly heavier than the L118’s. So they may be looking at replicating the mobility of the L118, but with a harder hitting shell and a further reach. I think the RA would have loved to have got the M777. The main issue is that it’s quite a manpower intensive piece. Even so, this may be the last hurrah of the static artillery piece. As the conflict in Ukraine has ably demonstrated. When loitering suicide drones are in the… Read more »
Crew. Wiki says M777 has a crew of 7+1 (not sure who that +1 is?) and LG is 6. Not much of a difference.
Are towed guns static? They can be driven off by the gun tractor. Or gun crews should be supported by an anti-drone team.
Think a 105mm projectile is rather small to strap on rocket assistance or guidance kit etc. Base bleed is feasible to give a little more range.
I’m thinking more setup and scoot times compared to a SPG. Where for example the Archer has a crew of 3. It can set up, bang off 3 rounds and scoot off, before a L118 is even ready let alone a M777. So by comparison a towed piece is in today’s conflict more of a static system. Hence why there have been so many lost to suicide drones or counter battery fire. I guess there will be a point of ever diminishing returns. Though if you look at the Leonardo/Oto 76 system. It can fire the Vulcano guided sabot shell… Read more »
All good points. Were you a gunner? Interesting to see you use the ‘shift’ word in your last sentence – sounds a bit RAF!
Started off in the RAF gaining my third, then transferred to something else, which required JTAC training amongst other skills.
Everyone loves a TLA.
Get ready the bingo sheet!
Fascinating comments.
I do like this site.