September 2019 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for September, 2019

Marine Corps Awards Contract for New Night Vision Goggles

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

Less than 11 months after seeking industry proposals for a new helmet-mounted night vision system, Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded a contract to provide an updated system to Marines.

Harris Corporation of Roanoke, Virginia, was awarded a maximum $249,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract Sept. 6, for the purchase of the Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggle system. Approximately 14,000 systems will be delivered, and the work will be completed by September 2024.

The SBNVG combines two systems: a binocular night vision device and enhanced clip-on thermal imager. It is lighter than the current Army/Navy Portable Visual Search devices, or AN/PVS-15. The SBNVG also has improved depth perception, and the ability to detect and recognize targets in extreme low light, in inclement weather and in the presence of obscurants.

“Additionally, the use of white phosphor provides a greater capability to see at night with more clarity, giving Marines enhanced situational awareness,” said Lt. Col. Tim Hough, program manager for Infantry Weapons at MCSC.

The Corps previously used an existing Defense Logistics Agency contract to procure 1,300 systems to see how an interim solution could best meet the capability requirement.

“We made the investment to procure the 1,300 systems and fielded them to two infantry battalion, so we already had a good, robust understanding of the technology we were chasing,” said Roberto Gonzalez, team lead for Combat Optics at MCSC. “That allowed us to quickly get through the source selection process [for this contract].”

Using full and open competition, MCSC also realized approximately $70 million in savings across the Future Years Defense Program.

Marine infantry units will be the first to receive the new night vision goggles when fielding begins in the spring of 2020.

“Awarding this SBNVG contract and fielding these systems to the warfighter is one more step toward increasing the command and control, lethality and ability of the infantry squad to overwhelm our adversaries,” said Hough.

Story by Monique Randolph, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command

U.S. Marine Corps photos by Joseph Neigh

Posted in Contracts, Guest Post, MARCORSYSCOM, Optics | Comments Off on Marine Corps Awards Contract for New Night Vision Goggles

DSEI 19 – Juggernaut.Case Ejection-Seat Electronic Kneeboard Solution

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

Juggernaut.Case’s Chris Stalzer showed us their Ejection-Seat Electronic Kneeboard Solution which recently passed testing. It features a two-strap configuration utilizing the new ITW Nexus GT-Cobra polymer buckle and a laminar-airflow mount-base that contours to the pilot’s leg to which the case is fastened to. This design also affords a stable platform on the pilot’s leg for tablet use. Paper maps and aluminum chart holders become an unnecessary addition to the cockpit, except for backup maps that are carried separately.

shop.juggernautcase.com/products/mount-ejection-seat-ekb-solution

Posted in Advertiser, Digitization, DSEi | 1 Comment »

DSEI 19 – Sea To Summit Military Range

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

Sea to Summit is well known for their lightweight camping and hiking gear. Recently, they have introduced a military range to satisfy the needs of the Australian military. We’ll give you a look at a couple of their offerings.

This is the Task Force Tf Sleeping Bag. Based on the Spark Sp which has been supplied for years as part of UK MOD aviation survival kits, the Task Force Tf is filled with 850+ Premium Goose ULTRA-DRY Down. This gives protection down to -9 Deg Celsius at a weight of just 340g. As you can see, it compresses down to just 1.5 liters in size.

Next up is the X-Kettle Set. The bottom is mettle and will take direct flame. This kit contains an X-kettle and two mugs nested together.

The X-kettle has a 1.3 liter capacity and weighs 885 grams, collapsing to just 35mm high. This color is only available in the military version.

seatosummit.com

Posted in DSEi, International, Shelter | 1 Comment »

DSEI 19 – SIG Next Gen Automatic Rifle Ammo Soft Bag

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

We got a better look at the ammo bag for SIG’s Next Generation Weapon Automatic Rifle candidate in 6.8 x 51mm.

Available in 50, 100, or 200 round capacity, this soft bag has a clip integrated at the top to attach it to the MG.

The belt links start with a spoon which is inserted into the feedtray and pulled through the other side to seat the first round.

Posted in Advertiser, DSEi, weapons | 1 Comment »

DSEI 19 – TYR Tactical PICO DS-X

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

TYR Tactical gave us a sneak peek of the new PICO DS-X. Weighing in at less than two pounds, it can be configured with any of TYR’s cummerbunds, including a new cummerbund with the National Molding Tactik buckle. There are multiple new lightweight accessories as well. Coming October.

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, DSEi | 1 Comment »

DSEI 19 – FN Herstal Introduces New Small Caliber Cartridges

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

FN Herstal has released the following information regarding their new small arms cartridges:

FN PERMAX™ 5.56

5.56x45mm SS109 ammunition was originally designed by FN Herstal and adopted by NATO as the second official caliber in 1980. FN Herstal has now engineered the new FN PERMAX™ Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) 5.56x45mm cartridge so as to deliver superior performance in urban combat by passing through barriers such as windscreens, automobile bodywork, glazing or masonry to reach a protected target.

The new FN PERMAX™ 5.56 has excellent mass retention behind barriers, maintaining greater incapacitating effect.

Composed of a hardened steel penetrator and a brass body, the FN® PERMAX 5.56 has been developed to meet and anticipate further environmental European and international legislations requiring use of lead-free ammunition.

FN PROPASS™ 5.56

The new FN PROPASS™ Armor Piercing (AP) 5.56x45mm cartridge is a further addition to the FN® range of ammunition, and is ideally suited when the mission requires defeating hard targets using 5.56 caliber. Featuring a tungsten carbide core, the projectile perforates armored targets or level IV ballistic protection composed of metal or ceramic inserts.

Both FN PERMAX™ 5.56 and FN PROPASS™ 5.56 cartridges are compliant with NATO standards – therefore, compatible with all weapons chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. These two newly-developed cartridges are qualified on FN Herstal weapons such as carbines and assault rifles (FN SCAR®-SC or FN SCAR®-L), and light machine guns (FN MINIMI® 5.56).

FN ARIA™ .50 RR

In the .50 cal ammunition line, FN Herstal has designed a reduced range cartridge that features a shorter travel distance limited to 3,500m.

Highly reliable without requiring re-zeroing or converted weapons, the FN ARIA™ .50 RR cartridge is dedicated to safe and effective training with .50 cal weapons on shooting ranges that are limited to the use of 7.62mm weapons. With a tracer version also available, the FN ARIA™ cartridge can be provided on belts (4 FN ARIA™ .50 RR + 1 FN ARIA™-T .50 RR-T) for realistic training.

The FN ARIA™ .50 RR cartridges are compatible with all weapons chambered in 12.7x99mm NATO cal (.50 cal), and are qualified on the FN® M2HB-QCB and the FN® M3 machine guns.

Alongside these new developments, FN Herstal proposes an extensive range of .50 cal rounds, including the multipurpose APEI (Armor Piercing Explosive Incendiary).

Posted in Advertiser, Ammo, DSEi | 1 Comment »

DSEI 19 – Pathfinder Fused Thermal/Color NVIS Viewer by Carson Industries

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

During SOFIC we have you a sneak peek of the new handheld Pathfinder Fused Thermal/Color NVIS Night Vision Viewer by Carson Industries.

Pathfinder offers both color digital night vision and LWIR thermal cameras in a single, handheld unit. Controls are located along the top of the Pathfinder and are very easy to use.

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The user can move from full NV to full thermal with varying degrees of fusion along the way. The system also offers digital zoom capabilities at 2x and 4x. The screen is 400 x 400 color OLED.

Pathfinder allows digital and still image recording via 16 GB onboard storage or via Bluetooth and can be mounted to a tripod. It can also be integrated with GPS.

Expected to retail at $1500 this is a great option to either augment more capable Mil-Spec systems for those who have them or serve as an entry for those who don’t. It weighs less than half a pound and at 2″x3″x6″ easily fits in a pocket. Battery life is more than four hours thanks to an onboard Lithium Ion Battery.

www.carson-industries.com

Posted in DSEi, Optics | Comments Off on DSEI 19 – Pathfinder Fused Thermal/Color NVIS Viewer by Carson Industries

Gore Exhibiting Preferred Solutions For Defense Applications at DSEI 2019

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

PLEINFELD, Germany (September 10, 2019) — W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) will showcase high-performance solutions at the 2019 Defense & Security Equipment International (DSEI) in London, England on 10-13 September in Booth S7-324. All of Gore’s products have been proven in the field and over time, ensuring operational readiness, success, and safety.

Meeting Defense Complex, Functional Needs

Products that will be on display include GORE® High Speed Data Cables in robust, compact, and routable designs that support the latest open-source architectures and standardized protocols such as Ethernet, HDMI, and USB. They are proven to deliver data and video transmission with total reliability after installation and during operation in defense aircraft and vehicles.

Also featured will be GORE® Microwave/RF Assemblies that deliver high-quality signals at precise radio frequencies with proven EMI shielding performance. These rugged assemblies in small, lightweight, and highly flexible constructions perform without failure no matter the conditions inside or outside the aircraft and vehicle.

Finally, Gore will display durable, lightweight clothing systems that protect and comfort to keep soldiers safe from extreme environmental impact in the field. GORE® PYRAD® Fabric Technology provides excellent protection against heat and flame by balancing flame resistance, thermal insulation, and thermal stability.

GORE-TEX® Footwear provides maximum protection, promotes agility, and offers perfect climate management for protection against chemical and biological situations in warm or hot zone operations.

NFPA-certified ensembles made with lightweight GORE® CHEMPAK® Selectively Permeable Fabric protects against toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents.

All of Gore’s products are thoroughly tested and meet, even exceed the most stringent industry requirements and standards to ensure that each product will deliver the highest-quality performance in any defense scenario. When it comes to superior cables, cable assemblies, and clothing, the defense sector continues to rely on Gore to meet their complex, functional needs for today and the future.

For more information, visit Booth S7-324 at DSEI or online at gore.com/dsei2019.

Posted in Advertiser, DSEi, Press Release | Comments Off on Gore Exhibiting Preferred Solutions For Defense Applications at DSEI 2019