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British Army Signs New Contract for Saab Instrumented Live Training Capability

Friday, April 12th, 2024

Saab has signed an initial three-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence, for the provision of support to Live Simulation systems with ILT-D (Instrumented Live Training), valued at £60M and options to extend until 2030.

The ILT-D contract, replaces the previous DFWES (Direct Fire Weapon Effect Simulator) contract. ILT-D supports high fidelity systems that use a blend of laser and geometric pairing technology to simulate direct and indirect fire effects. This data rich capability provides objective feedback which is used to inform the After Action Review (AAR) process and validate training.

The contract includes a significant investment in extending the life of the capability to provide the UK MoD with the most modern system available. This ensures it remains relevant to the British Army’s evolving training needs, addresses obsolescence issues, and continues to be interoperable with partner nations through exploitation of the latest generation of Saab hardware and software.

Support will be continued across permanent Collective Training locations in the UK and Germany, as well as at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, Infantry Battle School in Brecon and the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.

“As Saab Training and Simulation marks 30 years of collaboration with the British Army, we are delighted that ILT-D is in place to support training for the next epoch. This contract exemplifies our commitment to delivering world leading live simulation capabilities at the point of need, so the UK can conduct training as both a deterrence and reassurance around the globe,” said James Passmore, VP Director of Marketing and Sales, Saab UK.

“Our collaboration with Saab UK builds on the long-standing relationship and represents the dedication DE&S and the British Army have to providing the best training possible for our dedicated soldiers. Ahead of the Collective Training Transformation Programme, ILT-D will ensure that the British Army has access to a training capability that is able to keep pace with the training needs bought about by an increasingly complex strategic context and rapidly evolving character of warfare,” said Simon Pearce, Training and Simulation Systems Portfolio Leader for Defence Equipment & Support, the contracting authority.

With interoperability and deployability at its core, Saab’s Live Simulation Systems have a growing global user community. The British Army has recently deployed its Saab systems around the world including overseas exercises delivered in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Kenya, Oman, Jordan, Cyprus and Germany.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Training | No Comments »

Success in Australia: Production Contract Signed for 123 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier Vehicles from Australia to Germany

Wednesday, April 10th, 2024

The Commonwealth of Australia has today signed the production contract for 123 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles with more than 100 of those vehicles to be exported from Australia for use by the German Army; making it Australia’s largest foreign military export to Germany.

The procurement of the Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles is based on a mutual agreement between the Australian and the German Government. Rheinmetall has announced the contract with the German authorities with a total volume of €2.7 billion, including maintenance and repair, after the commissioning in March 2024. The corresponding production contract has now been awarded in Australia.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, confirmed that the order is Australia’s largest foreign military export to Germany. “Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2025 with the first Australian-built vehicle to be delivered in 2026,” Poyner added.

The Heavy Weapon Carrier, or “Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie” vehicle is based on the Australian Army’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV).
The Boxer vehicle is an advanced, armoured 8×8 vehicle in service with armies around the globe. It offers enhanced troop safety, security and protection, coupled with high levels of firepower and mobility for sustained operations ranging from peacekeeping to high-intensity combat. The CRV is equipped with a reconnaissance mission module including the two-person digital Lance turret; the first crewed medium-calibre turret to be put into service on the Boxer platform.

The German Boxers are to be produced at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence at Redbank in South East Queensland, where more than 650 skilled Rheinmetall workers produce vehicles, armour and electronics for Australia and global partners.

The contract supports Rheinmetall’s vision to build and grow Australia’s defence industry capability to create local net value and integrate Australian companies into Rheinmetall’s global supply chain.

(l-r, Major General Jason Blain, HLS CASG, Nathan Poyner, CEO Rheinmetall Defence Australia, H.E Beate Grzeski, German Ambassador to Australia)

Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG: “We appreciate to have been selected to supply the Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles for an essential element of the German Army’s new force category, the ‘medium forces’.

“We are integrating the expertise and capabilities of our Australian MILVEHCOE colleagues from our global Rheinmetall network to provide the German Army with the required combat vehicles as quickly as possible. This further deepens defence ties between Australia and Germany and enhances a sustained sovereign defence capability in Australia.

“We welcome the close partnership between Australia and Germany in strategic defence activities as the two nations work together to increase global security. The German Boxer program from Australia has been made possible by Rheinmetall’s long-term Australian investment in product development and advanced manufacturing,” said Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall CEO.

In addition to the 211 Boxer vehicles ordered under Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 project – 133 of which are the CRV variant with the crewed digital Lance turret – the company also services the Australian Army’s HX truck fleet, which comprises more than 2,900 vehicles, provides the MASS Multi-Ammunition Soft-Kill System to the Royal Australian Navy, manages training systems for Defence and has delivered more than 200 HX Trucks to the New Zealand Defence Force.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »

U.S. Air Force’s $46 Billion Elon Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) Selects Persistent Systems

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024

EWAAC will provide contract vehicle for Air Force commands seeking mobile ad hoc networking solutions.

Persistent Systems (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to participate in the multi-vendor Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), a $46 billion Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) rapid acquisition vehicle for the development of novel weapons capabilities.

Participating in EWAAC enables Persistent Systems to better support networked autonomy efforts with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as well as provide other Air Force customers, such as Global Strike Command and Air Combat Command, with a ready-to-use contract vehicle.

“We are very excited to be selected by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center to participate in the Armament Directorate’s EWAAC,” said Cody Larson, director of Business Development at Persistent Systems. “EWAAC will help us with our networked weapons development efforts, the goal of which is to develop air-launched, swarming weapons that share information for increased survivability and lethality.”

EWAAC places an emphasis on digital engineering, agile software, and open systems architecture. Meeting those goals, Persistent’s Wave Relay® MANET is data-agnostic and capable of passing any digital data, allowing it to adapt to ever-changing, open-architecture weapons systems.

“This further deepens the relationship between Persistent and the U.S. Air Force to support emerging concepts like JADC2 and other programs,” said Adrien Robenhymer, VP of Business Development for the Air Force and Intelligence Community, at Persistent Systems.

Posted in Air Force, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Rheinmetall to Supply Japan with its First Fleet of Autonomous Vehicles

Monday, April 8th, 2024

Rheinmetall paves the way for autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in Japan after being awarded a multimillion-dollar contract on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Defence.
The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP UGVs are expected to be delivered early next year for testing. These compact, low-signature electric UGVs will each be equipped with different payload modules, including cargo, surveillance and a remote-controlled weapon station. The contract also includes a long-term support and training program, as well as spare parts.

Rheinmetall will deliver the UGVs in collaboration with the prime contractor Marubeni Aerospace, a major Japanese business conglomerate that will be trained by Rheinmetall to offer local support to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Rheinmetall Mission Master SP

The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP is a fully electric, compact UGV that is designed to autonomously carry out missions such as forward and last mile resupply missions, silent watch operations, and carriages of light payloads, including section sensors and weapon systems. The vehicle can be towed or deployed by parachute to carry out missions in hard-to-reach terrain, and fitted with tracks to enhance mobility in deep snow and mud—an ideal feature for countries with extreme climates like Japan.

The Mission Master SP was the first UGV to be developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2017 and has since been deployed during multiple live military exercises by land forces, including the German, USA, Royal Dutch, and Polish armies. Various NATO partners, such as the UK and the USA have also acquired this UGV.

Autonomous solutions for the modern battlefield

Like other platforms in the Rheinmetall Mission Master family, the SP vehicle is driven by Rheinmetall PATH: an AI-powered navigation system that can be installed on any vehicle. This agnostic suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms enables the Mission Master vehicles to navigate autonomously through challenging environments.

“As international tensions continue to rise, more and more countries are seeking autonomous solutions to maintain a competitive advantage and prepare for the modern battlefield. Our Mission Master vehicles equipped with our PATH A-kit have performed well in numerous international trials in recent years. These experiences have allowed us to refine our technology and become an internationally renowned centre of excellence for UGVs” recounts Pietro Mazzei, President and CEO at Rheinmetall Canada.

To find out more about the Rheinmetall Mission Master family of UGVs, visit rheinmetall.com

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

The Netherlands To Upgrade Their MQ-9A Capabilities

Sunday, April 7th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 26 March 2024 – The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is working withGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to make important upgrades to their growing fleet of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The RNLAF announced in 2023 that they will double their number of MQ-9A Reapers from four to eight and now are making upgrades to their aircraft to include capabilities such as maritime radars, a communications relay, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures (ESM), and weapons. The upgrades will take place incrementally over the next three years.

“The RNLAF is using the MQ-9A for an increasing set of NATO missions,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, commander of the RNLAF’s 306 Squadron. “With these upgrades, we will support NATO’s ISR and maritime surveillance missions throughout Europe.”

GA-ASI will integrate the new payloads for the RNLAF, including a maritime radar currently operating in other areas of the world, ESM, weapons, and a communications relay that is purpose-built to connect all services of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

“We’re excited to continue upgrading and increasing the mission capabilities of the RNLAF’s fleet of Reapers,” said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. “One of the key aspects of our aircraft is the modularity of our platforms allowing them to rapidly meet the full spectrum of customer requirements.”

The MQ-9A Block 5 has a 3,850-pound (1,746-kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. It provides a long-endurance, surveillance capability with full-motion video, Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar, and ESM. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Strong Partner of the Spanish Army: Rheinmetall Supplies Over 100,000 Mortar Rounds

Friday, April 5th, 2024

Rheinmetall has received another order from the Spanish government in the higher double-digit million euro range. The Group is to supply the Spanish army with a total of 104,000 mortar rounds in 60mm, 81mm and 120mm calibres by the end of 2025. The framework agreement concluded in the first quarter of 2024 is already the second and includes an extension option for two additional years.

The mortar rounds ordered will be used by the Spanish army’s infantry units, among others, in high explosive, smoke and illumination ammunition variants. Depending on the calibre and mortar system used, they have different ranges of between 2.59 km (60mm) and 8.25 km (120mm).
Rheinmetall mortar ammunition offers increased range, enhanced precision and optimised effectiveness on target, enabling forces to effectively engage targets in difficult terrain or in urban environments.

The current order from the Spanish government underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role as a systems supplier in the field of steep-fire systems. Rheinmetall, one of the world’s largest ammunition manufacturers, was recently awarded a contract to supply the Spanish army with 155mm artillery ammunition worth over €200 million.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Hexonia Awarded Major European Combat Clothing Contract

Thursday, April 4th, 2024

Hexonia GmbH, a subsidiary of NFM Group AS, has been selected for a significant contract to provide a comprehensive combat clothing system for the Netherlands Armed Forces and the Belgium Navy. The Defence Operational Clothing System (DOKS) represents one of Europe’s most substantial military clothing contracts to date.

The DOKS project entrusts Hexonia GmbH with the responsibility to outfit approximately 45,000 soldiers, delivering an integrated combat clothing system that includes more than 30 different items. Yesterday, the signed 8-year framework agreement was handed over in a festive ceremony in Soesterberg, the Netherlands.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE DOKS PROJECT

A key requirement of the DOKS project is the modularity of the clothing system: soldiers should have the opportunity to wear clothing that is customized and adapted to their specific operational situation. It is designed to cover a wide range of activities and environmental factors, thereby protecting them from specific threats while simultaneously enhancing their performance. An important aspect of the project is the extensive involvement of reference groups, which include soldiers from the navy, the army, the air force, and the military police.

ADVANCED CLOTHING SYSTEM WITH EXTENSIVE SIZING SYSTEM

The system Hexonia has developed encompasses underwear, insulation layers, weather protection, combat shirts, jackets, and pants in a variety of colours and camouflage patterns, along with functional accessories. These are provided in three distinct clothing sets tailored for different operational contexts. The layers within the system are designed to work seamlessly with each other and with the armed forces’ existing protective gear. Featuring a specially developed sizing system that includes up to 35 size gradations, Hexonia guarantees an optimal fit and good comfort for the wearer.

“The high appreciation of our soldiers was decisive in selecting the clothing system of Hexonia”, says Project Lead LTCOL, Bruce Mekking from COMMIT (Commando Materieel en IT of the Dutch Ministry of Defence).

DECADES OF DEVELOPMENT ENSURE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

Quality, durability, and comfort are paramount to Hexonia in the development of combat clothing. For DOKS, the company utilizes high-quality yarns, woven and knitted fabrics developed through extensive research. The production process is predominantly managed by the medium-sized German company: various knitting, cutting, and finishing machines are available across its facilities in Nettetal and Jahnsbach, which span approximately 12,000 square meters. In addition, Hexonia has meticulously established a network of trusted partners, over the years, ensuring quality and the reliability of its production chain. All supplied parts are subjected to strict quality controls in various process stages.

“Being trusted by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to equip the Netherlands Armed Forces and the Belgium Navy fills us with pride and is a confirmation of our daily work. We have invested heavily in research work and built-up in-depth expertise in the development of military clothing for more than 20 years. Hexonia has since 2022 been part of NFM Group, and together we are continuously expanding our production and logistics capacities. This makes us a strong and reliable partner in Europe today, and we are confident to create a strong partnership with COMMIT to provide the Dutch soldiers the clothing needed to do their job, regardless mission, and climatic condition they will meet,” says Nils Toverud, Managing Director of Hexonia GmbH.

“The DOKS project represents more than a contract; it is a profound responsibility. As we embark on this journey to outfit the Netherlands Armed Forces, we at NFM Group, together with Hexonia GmbH, are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in military apparel. Our collaboration signifies a shared vision for excellence and a safer future for those in service,” says Walter Øverland, CEO NFM Group AS.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, International, Press Release | 3 Comments »

R&D Project Award from Five-Eyes Government for DroneShield

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024

DroneShield has been awarded an approximately $900k R&D contract from a Five-Eyes Government. The contract is notable in that it specifically aims to leverage the potential of the DroneSentry-X Mk2 and aims to provide an initial set of software tools to enhance end-user capabilities in the Counter-UAS Electronic Attack domain.

Anechoic chamber of the type to be installed in the DroneShield Sydney facility in mid 2024

This contract aligns closely with DroneShield’s current technology roadmap. Software controlled multi-channel wide band disruption allows for not only optimised channel management, frequency management, power usage and optimisation but also the addition of custom waveforms targeted at various threats.

Advancements in drone protocols designed to move away from RF interference as well as work in high noise, high clutter environments means that traditional methods of disruption may become less effective over time. With a software approach to disruption the ability to adapt the disruption to stay one step ahead of the technology has become paramount of successful disruption systems.

Angus Bean, DroneShield CTO, commented: “DroneShield’s radio frequency jamming capability has been recognised globally as highly effective in defeating nefarious drones. This new contract highlights that the DroneSentry-X Mk2 is a step-function in smart-jamming capabilities. We are looking forward to delivering on the capabilities the Defense users are looking for.”

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, added: “DroneShield products are considered to be market leading by many governments around the world. We pride ourselves on setting the global benchmark. This new contract represents the start of an entirely new generation of disruption capabilities.”

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Research | No Comments »