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The S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system leads the top tweets selected based on total engagements (likes and retweets) received on the tweets from more than 150 defence experts tracked by GlobalData’s ADS Influencer platform during the third quarter (Q3) of 2021.

The most popular tweets on land warfare in Q3 2021: Top five

1. Rob Lee’s tweet on Russia testing its S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system

Rob Lee, PhD student at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, shared an article on Russia conducting a live firing test of its S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft missile system. Prometheus was tested by initiating combat firing at a high speed ballistic target at the Kapustin Yar training ground in the Astrakhan Oblast. It confirmed the reliability and performance of the missile system apart from its technical characteristics.

The S-500 Prometheus air defence system was developed to eliminate all present and emerging aerospace warfare weapons. It is expected to be delivered to the air defence-missile defence association in Moscow after the completion of the test cycle.  Russia is planning to use the defence system to defend against long-range and medium-range ballistic missiles, apart from hostile aircraft.

Username: Rob Lee

Twitter handle: @RALee85

Likes: 493

Retweets: 194

2. British Army’s tweet on its soldiers testing solar-powered panels to sustain themselves in the field

British Army, the official Twitter account of the British Army, shared an article on solar-powered panels being tested by the 14 Signal Regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals to sustain themselves in the field for 72 hours. The soldiers, who are trained in electronic warfare, typically carry 15 to 20 batteries to last for 72 hours apart from other equipment in their kit, which weighs roughly 160kg.

The soldiers have been trialling 225W solar-powered panels that allows them to charge two batteries or operate a laptop. The solar panels can be opened like a map, are lightweight and easy to store in the soldiers kit. The goal of the tests is to reduce the weight of the kit and enable the soldiers to become faster and more agile.

Username: British Army

Twitter handle: @BritishArmy

Likes: 292

Retweets: 51

3. Department of Defence’s tweet on testing of Redback and Lynx infantry fighting vehicles

Department of Defence, the official account of Australia’s Department of Defence, shared a video on the field testing of the Redback and Lynx infantry fighting vehicles, as a part of the LAND 400 Phase 3 project. The LAND 400 project was launched by the defence department to select the latest armoured fighting vehicles for the Australian Army. More than 670 military vehicles are expected to be delivered over a period of 15 years as part of the project.

The Redback and Lynx vehicles were tested on various tactical scenarios similar to those on the field. The vehicles were tested in aspects such as individual vehicle crafts, cresting drills, assisting each other in tactical movements, and conducting assaults and attacks on objectives, and defensive activities. The infantry vehicles will enable troops to move further into the battlefield along with having complete situational awareness.

Username: Department of Defence

Twitter handle: @DeptDefence

Likes: 245

Retweets: 65

4. Ministry of Defence’s tweet on artificial intelligence (AI) engine used in operations for the first time

Ministry of Defence, the official corporate news channel of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), shared an article on the British Army using an AI engine in army operations for the first time in Estonia. The technology was deployed during the Spring Storm NATO exercise, which was part of Operation Cabrit. The AI engine delivered critical data on the environment and terrain to soldiers by using automation and analytics. The technology can be deployed on the cloud or operated independently and can save time and effort by giving soldiers planning assistance and improving the command and control processes.

The insights provided by the exercise will be useful in the MOD’s digital transformation efforts planned for the defence sector. The UK Prime Minister announced funding of more than £24bn ($32.28bn) for defence in the next four years in November, with an emphasis on the ability to adapt to new threats. The MOD plans to invest £6.6n ($9.12bn) in new technologies such as AI, autonomous systems, and directed energy systems.

Username: Ministry of Defence

Twitter handle: @DefenceHQ

Likes: 148

Retweets: 24

5. Tyler Rogoway’s tweet on the US Army performing first live-fire testing from Ripsaw M5 unmanned mini-tank prototype

Tyler Rogoway, editor-in-chief of The War Zone defence magazine, shared an article on the US Army performing live-fire testing with the Ripsaw M5 unmanned mini-tank prototype mounted with a 30mm automated canon. The vehicle was also tested for its ability to be operated from a control station located inside a modified Bradley Fighting Vehicle and explore its potential to be controlled from manned platforms.

The live-fire testing was carried out by personnel from the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey and the Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) at the Detroit Arsenal in Michigan.

Username: Tyler Rogoway

Twitter handle: @Aviation_Intel

Likes: 145

Retweets: 61