The Luminae Assault Pouch combines the functionality of their CQB Kydex Magazine Pouch and Dump Pouch in a single design.
PALS compatible.
www.luminae.co.uk/Shop/Luminae-Assault-Pouch
FirstSpear Friday Focus: 12 Days of Christmas – SOF Med Pouch
December 9th, 2022
The Special Operations Forces (SOF) Medical Pouch securely holds and organizes individual first aid items. A half-moon zipper provides rapid access and closure. This pouch attaches to your platform using either FirstSpear 6/12 or 6/9. A loop faced fabric square on the exterior allows you to mount FirstSpear Cell Tags.
This is a Non-Stocking Non-Standard pouch. These items have been designed by FirstSpear at the request of professional users to meet a unique mission set. Limited quantities and colors available.
Click HERE to enter. Visit FirstSpear to find America’s Best tactical gear this holiday season.
Major Order from the Bundeswehr: Rheinmetall Wins €576 million Framework Contract to Supply 30mm Ammunition for Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle
December 9th, 2022The German Bundeswehr has signed a framework agreement with Rheinmetall to supply over 600,000 rounds of medium-calibre ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. In total, ammunition is to be procured for around EUR 576 million. The budget committee of the German Parliament approved the bill for this comprehensive procurement on 30 November 2022. A first call-off of around 25,000 rounds of DM21 30mm x 173 cal. ammunition is expected to come before the end of 2022. This automatic cannon ammunition order for the Puma will ensure an adequate operational supply for the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, the VJTF. Moreover, the cartridges are required for German Army mechanized infantry training and exercises.
The Puma infantry fighting vehicle is equipped with a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM automatic cannon (ABM stands for airburst munition). Combining a high rate of fire with state-of-the-art ammunition technology, the MK30-2/ABM is an uncompromising, extremely reliably weapon system. With a maximum operating radius of more than 2,000 metres, the MK30-2/ABM is highly effective against targets on land, at sea and in the air.
Rheinmetall is a key supplier of service ammunition to the Bundeswehr. The company produces two main types of 30mm x 173 cal. service ammunition for the Puma: the KE-TF DM21 and KE DM33. Both were developed and qualified in accordance with the latest standards, and are unmatched worldwide when it comes to reliability, effectiveness, penetrating performance, and precision. Extremely reliable programming of the KE-TF, which stands for Kinetic Energy Time Fuse, lets the Puma engage large infantry-type area targets.
11th ACR’s Mastery of Maneuver Warfare Informs Future Prototype Development
December 9th, 2022
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment frequently functions as an opposing force, providing a realistic training environment for service members participating in exercises at Fort Irwin’s expansive National Training Center.
Last month, however, select Soldiers from the regiment had the opportunity to serve in a different and very unique role — that of a future warfighter.
Equipped with prototype wearables, next-generation drones and specialized knowledge of maneuver warfare, the Soldiers lent their time and insights to support Project Convergence 22, an experiment designed by the Army to illuminate the benefits and challenges new technologies could bring to tomorrow’s battlefields.
“It’s cool that we’re shaping the future of the Army,” said Sgt. Austin Gazaway.
Gazaway saw value in conducting future force experimentation alongside major allies — an effort he viewed as helping to “open up transparency” about emerging capabilities and warfighting systems.
Sgt. Calvin Robinson also enjoyed taking part in operational scenarios created specifically to field-test new technologies.
“I feel like the PC22 event went really well,” he said. “It was a good opportunity to see what the Army is possibly deciding to give future Soldiers.”
Gazaway, Robinson and other 11th ACR Soldiers, many of whom had not previously participated in dedicated Army innovation efforts, spent seven days in early November assessing the effectiveness of equipment such as the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular, or ENVG-B; the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, or IVAS; and the ExoBoot.
“Going from old to new, to high-powered technology, it’s pretty nice,” said Spc. Ian Campbell.
Campbell felt the ENVG-B’s dual scopes performed better than a more traditional single scope night vision goggle.
“I thought it was really helpful to keep track of my team and to see where my guys are,” he said. “I think overall it improved our team’s lethality.”
For many of the Soldiers, using the still-in-development technology took some getting used to. Several experiment participants noted that the IVAS and ExoBoot still had “some kinks” to work through, but that they looked forward to seeing how the Army would incorporate their feedback into future iterations of the apparatuses.
“The fact that they gave us a chance to actually use some of the products is a really good thing, I feel like,” Robinson said.
Robinson added that the 11th ACR’s familiarity with the terrain at the National Training Center, which encompasses more than 1,000 square miles, helped ensure the technology received a rigorous and authentic evaluation.
Following completion of the experiment, the overall consensus among 11th ACR Soldiers interviewed was that the Army’s new approaches to enhancing Soldier Lethality were promising.
“I feel like it will make a lot of stuff easier,” Gazaway said.
He additionally reflected on how Soldiers in the past likely thought certain equipment that the Army uses today was “weird” or awkward when first introduced, but that adjustments to new operating tools and methods are a natural and necessary aspect of change.
“The future just keeps moving forward.”
Campbell agreed.
“At some point, it will just become the new normal.”
By Maureena Thompson, Army Futures Command
Hydra Weaponry, Formerly MGI-Military, Rescales Business, Hires Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM)
December 8th, 2022
With over 50 years of firearms innovation, from the Bushmaster series to the multi-caliber modular Hydra pistol and rifle, the newly renamed Hydra Weaponry company has hired Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) to communicate product innovation and company news to the industry media. A new website reflects the company’s commitment to its current and new customers.
Hermon, Maine (November 2022) – Hydra Weaponry, formerly MGI-Military, headquartered in Maine, has launched a revamped website at www.hydraweaponry.com to reflect the company’s commitment to developing firearms for civilians, law enforcement, and military professionals. As part of revamping the business, Mack Gwinn, CEO of Hydra Weaponry and son of Mack Gwinn, Jr, designer of the Bushmaster pistol, rifle, and submachine gun, along with other firearms innovations, is increasing manufacturing capabilities at the Maine facility to accommodate orders. In step with adding new CNC machines to produce parts and products in-house, Hydra Weaponry has hired Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) to facilitate communications in the industry media.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Mack Gwinn and Hydra Weaponry,” Laura Burgess, president of LBM, said. “The Hydra system is a unique weapon system that allows the user the advantage of changing out calibers quickly to meet the mission on hand. For civilians, as well as, law enforcement agencies, this concept not only makes owning several caliber guns more affordable, but training on one system enhances shooter performance, and that is especially important for the tactical operator.”
“Hydra Weaponry is the new home for all Hydra rifles and pistols, including MARCK-15 Hydra Vipera pistols,” Gwinn added. “We have been investing in the company to increase capacity and effectively grow the brand. Hiring Laura Burgess Marketing is the first step in creating that link between our company, the media, and our customers. We are excited to get going.”
Hydra Weaponry manufactures the MARCK-15 Hydra® Modular Weapon System. With the Hydra, or base system, the user can build upon and use an ever-growing system of caliber conversion kits and various magwells. Change out is as simple as changing the barrel, bolt, and magazine well to the desired caliber. To change out some calibers, it is as simple as changing the barrel and bolt. The Hydra’s caliber conversions include .223 (.556), .22LR, .300 Blackout, .450 Thumper, and for the heavy hitters, .50 Beowulf®.
For more information on Hydra Weaponry, visit the new website at www.hydraweaponry.com.
Textron Systems Wins $162 Million Close Terrain Shaping Obstacle Increment 1 Contract
December 8th, 2022WILMINGTON, MA/December 5, 2022 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it received a five-year contract valued at $162 million from the U.S. Army Contracting Command – New Jersey, in connection with the U.S. Army Project Manager Close Combat Systems, to develop a remote command and control capable, anti-vehicle precision munition system that supports the Army’s terrain shaping operations modernization program.
Textron Systems will design an advanced anti-vehicle, soldier-in-the-loop munition system to support the Close Terrain Shaping Obstacle (CTSO) Increment 1 Common Anti-Vehicle Munition Based Top Attack System. CTSO Increment 1 fulfills a U.S. Army directive to replace obsolete munitions with next-generation technology that enables soldiers to effectively conduct terrain-shaping operations against peer threats. CTSO Increment 1 is the first of three increments of increased capabilities in the U.S. Army’s plans to modernize terrain shaping operations.
“We are committed to supporting the soldier by giving them technology that increases their combat advantage, and by keeping the soldier in the loop we give them even more control,” said Henry Finneral, Senior Vice President, Weapon Systems. “This munition will increase tactical protection for our troops who are facing increasingly sophisticated enemies. For the adversaries and the types of conflicts we see emerging, this will represent a true next-generation anti-vehicle weapon.”
The munition developed for Increment 1 will have stand-off and top attack capabilities designed to support complex terrain shaping operations by denying enemy armored vehicles freedom to maneuver. The system will be rapidly emplaced and highly portable, and will be designed to be employed alone, in multiples or in tandem with other terrain shaping systems.
Over a five-year period of performance, Textron Systems will develop the CTSO Increment 1 design, conduct contractor qualification testing and deliver hardware in support of government qualification testing. Capabilities will include increased effectiveness over legacy systems, mission planning tools, a remote-control station that enables constant soldier-in-the-loop control, and the ability to turn the munition on-and-off on command. CTSO Increment 1 allows an operator to control multiple systems and have improved sensing and reporting capabilities. The munition may be rapidly emplaced, is recoverable, and is non-persistent.
Editor’s Note: These US Army images depict their operating concept for a Top Attack Munition as well as the hand emplaced XM204 munition manufactured by Textron.
WEPTAC / AF SPECWAR Vendor Nights
December 8th, 2022
See you at WEPTAC / AF SPECWAR vendor nights at Nellis AFB, Jan 11-12, 1730 to 2200. Open to Military and Government Civilians.
Spearpoint Announces Mutual Marketing Efforts with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd for Advanced Soldier Navigation Systems
December 8th, 2022
Queanbeyan, 8th December 2022 – Spearpoint Solutions & Technology Pty Ltd (Spearpoint) have announced their mutual marketing effort with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Rafael), for the FootPrintTM Boot-Mounted Navigation system. The collaboration builds on the capabilities Spearpoint offers to the Australian Defence Force the most advanced ground combatant systems available, with a particular emphasis on the requirements for Project Land 125 Phase 4, Integrated Soldier Systems.
– Rafael was founded as Israel’s National R&D Defense Laboratory for the development of weapons and military technology within the Israeli Ministry of Defense. In 2002 it was incorporated as a limited company. Rafael is an Israeli government-owned company, based in Haifa, Israel. Rafael develops and produces weapons, military, and defence technologies for the Israeli army and for export abroad. Its systems are in use among dozens of military services worldwide including most NATO member states.
– Spearpoint is the most advanced sovereign soldier systems integrator in Australia, partnering with some of the leading international system developers to deliver innovative, integrated soldier systems to the ADF, NZDF and regional militaries.
– This agreement confirms Spearpoint’s team building approach to soldier systems, bringing together advanced technologies, creating opportunities for modular systems that are greater than the sum of the parts.
Initially, the agreement will revolve around Rafael’s FootPrinttm Boot-Mounted Navigation for Soldiers in GPS-Denied and Low-Signal Areas for Land 125 Phase 4. The companies will continue collaboration on development of the capability, with integration into Spearpoint’s Integrated Digital Soldier System capability.
Andrew Jiear, Spearpoint CEO, said confirmation of the relationship affirms the esteem to which Spearpoint is held for providing the most advanced soldier systems in the world to Australian and New Zealand users. It also provides the opportunity to build on the development undertaken with our other partners for an integrated digital soldier system.
Contact Information:
+61 419 223435, [email protected]
Bar Oriol, Marketing and BD at Multi-Domain Warfare Directorate
Land & Naval Division | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd,
+972524458636, [email protected]
