September 2024 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for September, 2024

DMC Supports NP Aerospace in Delivering Additive Manufacturing Innovation to UK MOD

Friday, September 13th, 2024

Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), an industry leading production facility and additive manufacturing (AM) innovation hub, is working in partnership with NP Aerospace to deliver state-of-the-art metal engineering solutions. This collaboration is part of the UK MoD’s Project TAMPA.

Project TAMPA is a UK Strategic Command Defence Support sponsored project designed to enable the UK defence industry supply chain to investigate and exploit the key capabilities and benefits available to defence from the speed, quality and flexibility that additive manufacturing (3D printing) can bring. With expertise developed across multiple sectors such as space, aerospace, motorsport and medical, DMC are leading the way in this rapidly evolving engineering space. Many of the large defence prime contractors are engaged with Project TAMPA to deliver what their UK MoD customer needs.

NP Aerospace has a long heritage of supplying military vehicles and support solutions. Post-UOR period, in 2019, NP Aerospace was awarded the PMETS engineering support contract, for the UK’s core protected mobility fleet. More recently this has expanded, with NP being one of the companies selected on the Marine Systems Transformation (MaST) framework (total contract value £850m), so are deeply engaged in supporting capability and maintaining a secure UK supply chain.

Underpinned by an ethos of truly creative engineering and the pursuit of perfection, DMC applies a holistic approach to the additive manufacturing process and is pushing the boundaries of possibility while ensuring full quality assurance with AS9100 certification and PPAP (Part Production Approval Process) and NPI (New Product Introduction) practices. Together DMC and NP Aerospace are rapidly innovating, using the additive manufacturing process in both metal and polymer parts, to help UK defence resolve long standing challenges, meet operational demand, secure the supply chain and combat supply chain obsolescence. For example, DMC has produced parts for the rear step assembly and the door latch assembly on Mastiff and Ridgback platforms which can be rapidly produced. The future concept includes the ability to securely transfer the digital files to a forward deployed AM production facility to reduce the delivery time. These parts can be seen fitted to a new generation Ridgback Platform on NP Aerospace’s stand OR-13 at DVD taking place 18/19 September, at Millbrook.

David Wilson, Director of Engineering, NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares said, “Project TAMPA has opened the door to allow us to fully explore the incredible benefits that can be achieved by utilizing the additive manufacturing processes. It has been very rewarding working with DMC, the experts in the field, who not only have the engineering acumen to solve complex problems alongside NP Aerospace engineers, but also have the necessary certification and accreditation to provide essential quality assurance, critical to defence.”

Kieron Salter, CEO of the DMC said, “We are very proud to be supporting NP Aerospace, and many others across the UK defence industry, by sharing our vast experience and expertise in the additive manufacturing process gained from the most demanding of sectors such as Formula 1, aerospace and space. We pride ourselves at DMC in being more than a traditional ‘build to print’ supplier, although production work is always our end goal. We also provide a holistic approach to additive manufacturing, being creative and innovative in our engineering that leads to the final production solution. Hence, DMC delivers truly pioneering solutions for businesses operating at the forefront of their industry.”

Posted in Additive Manufacturing, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Kopin Receives Additional $2M Follow-On Microdisplay Order in Support of Collins Aerospace’s F-35 Lightning II Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS)

Friday, September 13th, 2024

Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN ), a leading provider of application-specific optical systems and high performance microdisplays for defense, enterprise, consumer and medical products, announced today that it has been awarded a $2 million follow-on production order for its high-brightness active-matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD). This will come from Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, in support of the F-35 Lightning II Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS).

The HMDS is developed by Collins Elbit Vision Systems, LLC (CEVS). CEVS is a joint venture between Collins Aerospace and Elbit America and is the world-leading fighter aircraft helmet mounted display (HMD) manufacturer, providing unparalleled expertise in the development, production, integration and sustainment of HMD and night vision systems.

The F-35 is the most advanced 5th Generation fighter jet globally. The multi-role aircraft is designed for both air dominance and strike missions while also offering electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

A key feature is the augmented reality (AR) helmet, which uses Kopin’s microdisplay to provide pilots with extensive flight, tactical and sensor information. This enhances situational awareness, precision and safety while flying in harsh environments under challenging conditions. The unique microdisplay technology required for these functionalities and extreme conditions is exclusively supplied by Kopin.

Kopin’s fulfillment of this AMLCD order will ensure continued steady production of the CEVS F-35 Lightning II Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS). The current AMLCD microdisplay designed into the system is set to transition to Kopin’s next-generation Organic Light Emitting Diode on Silicon (OLEDoS) microdisplay. The high performance OLEDoS microdisplay recently achieved the final milestone in the qualification process and will move forward into final qualification and full rate production.

“The additional order for AMLCD microdisplays for F-35 helmets extends our backlog of deliveries to Collins Aerospace and with additional anticipated future orders will ensure uninterrupted production in preparation for the next-generation OLEDoS microdisplay,” stated Bill Maffucci, the company’s Vice President of Strategy & Business Development. “Our demonstrated performance in supplying thousands of our AMLCD microdisplays to date has been validated by this order and we look forward to supporting Collins Aerospace now and in the future.”

The F-35 strike fighter aircraft is being procured in different configurations for the U.S. services as well as a growing number of international allies. Kopin has been the sole supplier of AMLCD microdisplays for the F-35 pilot helmets since the start of the program.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release | No Comments »

NP Aerospace Receives Multiple UK MoD Related Contracts Following Jankel Acquisition

Friday, September 13th, 2024

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has today announced the award of multiple UK MoD related contracts following the acquisition of the assets of Jankel Armouring Limited. The specifics of the contracts cannot be disclosed however, there are seven individual contracts in total and together, they involve the provision of products and services in the areas of tactical vehicles, civilian armoured vehicles (CAVs), armour protection systems, military seating and through-life support services. Contracting routes vary and range from direct to UK MoD (DE&S) and supply contracts to UK MoD through established tier one prime contractors. This announcement coincides with the DVD event taking place at Millbrook, 18-19 September 2024, where NP Aerospace are exhibiting on stand OR13 in the Off-Road Area.

NP Aerospace is already fully established as a trusted supplier to UK MoD with major contracts in place in the areas of vehicle supply, systems integration, through-life support, and armour protection systems. Integrating the former Jankel contracts into the existing operational model is an excellent fit as NP Aerospace already has the required facilities, skills, knowhow, supply chain and processes in place to deliver exactly what the customers require, with a proven and resilient track record fully established.

Since the announcement of the acquisition of the assets of Jankel Armouring Limited on 10 June 2024, NP Aerospace has been successful in securing talent from the original Jankel Armouring Limited staff including pivotal engineers and critical executives with the required knowledge of the acquired assets and legacy contracts, such as these. In addition, it is expected that these contracts, together with others, will help to create and/or sustain around 60-70 skilled jobs. This places NP Aerospace in the ideal position to successfully deliver on these UK MoD related contracts, plus several other former Jankel overseas contracts that are likely to be announced in the coming months.

James Kempston, NP Aerospace CEO, commented: “Following on from our recent announcement regarding the acquisition of Jankel Armouring Limited’s assets, we’re very pleased indeed to announce the award of these UK MoD related contracts, having been novated to us by the MoD and the MoD’s tier one suppliers.” He added: “we’re already in a strong position as a trusted and resilient supplier to UK MoD and we’re operating in very similar capability areas to the seven contracts we’ve now received. This is a very good fit and will suit all parties concerned but in particular, our customers, who previously relied on Jankel Armouring Limited for some key and critical specialist capabilities. Thank you to UK MoD and to the relevant prime contractors for placing their trust in us, once again, and we look forward to extending our already successful working relationships, effectively integrating these contracts into the NP Aerospace operating model.”

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

A Year in Review: CRO Medical HOIST Harness

Friday, September 13th, 2024

HOIST Harness Enhances Vertical Capabilities for POI Medics and Assault Teams

Missoula, MT— In 2023, our team set out to address a critical capability gap for Point of Injury (POI) medics, particularly when integrating with assaulting elements. As careers progress, many individuals within these roles encounter the need for vertical capabilities such as hoist, lower, and haul. Our team set out to develop a solution that would not only provide a solid shooting platform but also integrate seamlessly as a certified climbing harness, reducing the amount of equipment needed to perform these functions.

After a full year of development and testing, the CRO Medical Hoist Harness was born. This EN12277 Type C Sit harness is designed to add a vertical capability for both medical and tactical personnel. We adhered to European safety standards, specifically EN 12277 Type C. This standard is more comprehensive than the North American standards, particularly in modern mountaineering and sport climbing.

Customer Feedback

One of the standout features of the CRO Hoist Harness is its leg loop design. According to unanimous feedback from field testers, the leg loops are “by far the most comfortable leg loops I’ve ever worn.” This comfort can be attributed to removing traditional fastening hardware in favor of elastic or bungee retention, which prevents the harness from dragging and impeding movement during normal walking. This feature is commonly found in sport climbing, yet not represented in assault climbing until now. The loops are comfortable enough for all-day wear and can serve as a quick, hasty solution in extremis.

In terms of gun platform functionality, our team conducted extensive testing on various reinforcement designs. Early challenges, such as “waffling” that compromised Velcro contact on the belt, were mitigated to ensure better Velcro adhesion while balancing flexibility and stiffness. Customer feedback indicates that the outer belt is ideal for mounting a pistol and offers the proper rigidity for mounting tools.

Streamlining Equipment

One of the key benefits of the CRO Medical Hoist Harness is its ability to eliminate the need for additional belt systems during hoist operations. By incorporating an inner and outer belt, we’ve streamlined the process by fixing the 15 kN belay loop to the inner belt. As far as we know, this is an industry first.

We are encouraged by the positive feedback and the harness’s performance in the field. Many users see this harness as an “every shooter” item, depending on mission requirements. Now a legacy CRO product, we are excited to roll it out to a broader audience and ensure that it becomes a staple for personal vertical capability.

Testing: EN 12277 Type C Sit (common sport climbing standard)

For more information or to schedule a demonstration, please contact:

support@cromedical.com

cromedical.com/shop/hoist-harness

Posted in Medical, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Sneak Peek – Shaw Concepts Usurper V2 Belt

Friday, September 13th, 2024

The Usurper V2’s Outer Belt offers far more options and modularity than its predecessor or its competitors. The system works on a curved inner core that features windows for the different sleeves to slide on and lock into place. Based on requests for an all MOLLE belt and the V2 will be offered with canted and standard MOLLE sleeves. On top of that the sleeves all feature configurable webbing and hardware to run the outer belt in our GHook configuration or a more traditional buckled set up. The choice is yours.

Don’t forget, you can also configure it for use with the M320 grenade launcher.

Coming soon from shaw-concepts.com.

Posted in Load Carrying | No Comments »

UNITY Tactical FAST FTC 4X Integrated Magnifier Now Available

Friday, September 13th, 2024

FAST™ FTC 4X Launches with New Integrated FAST™ QD Lever

BROUSSARD, LA. (Sept. 13, 2024) – UNITY™ Tactical, a designer of components that integrate tactical systems and optimize the human factor, is now shipping its FAST™ FTC 4X. UNITY first previewed the 4X magnifier with an integrated base at SHOT Show 2024, but only just unveiled the new integrated FAST QD Lever at its official launch.

Integrating the mount with the optic shaves weight, increases strength and ensures streamlined functionality with near-zeroocclusion of the primary optic when stowed. The integrated base brings the magnifier up to the established FAST height of a 2.26″ optical centerline from the rail.

UNITY’s FTC (flip-to-center) technology allows for easy stowage when not in use. Just as simple to use, the new integrated QD Lever still allows for one-handed donning and doffing but eliminates any possible snag hazard. It keeps the charging handle side of the rifle completely clear and shaves more than half an ounce off the total weight.

“The new integrated FAST QD Lever makes the magnifier and integrated base a true and complete package,” said Trent Zimmer, founder of UNITY Tactical. “We aim to challenge conventions, so we asked ourselves – does a throw lever always have to run parallel to the base of the mount? It’s a small but critical feature that seamlessly demonstrates our approach to systems-based innovation.”

Designed for use with a red dot optic mounted at the same height, the FAST FTC 4X provides ultimate picture clarity, utilizing the dot in the primary optic as the aiming reticle. This allows the shooter to quickly shift between non-magnified (stowed) and magnified (up/deployed). The magnifier can be mounted on multiple weapons platforms behind a red dot sight or used as a hand-held monocular.

“We set out to build an integrated magnifier and base that expands capability to a 4X power within the traditional footprint of a 3X,” said Mike Roth, vice president of business development. “4X magnification power has historic success within the U.S. Military on primary battle rifles. It pairs well with your red dot while being strong enough to use on its own with an ideal magnification point. With the addition of our new integrated FAST QD Lever, we knew a benefit this magnifier would provide is quick detach, which allows the user to pull it off the rifle for individual use and then easily reattach to the weapon.”

The optical glass provides a clear and durable sighting solution with a fully adjustable diopter. The magnifier has a field of view at 100 yards of 30.1 feet or 9.2 meters. Eye relief is 2.6 inches or 67 mm. Weighing less than 12.0 ounces or 340.2 grams, the adjustment points for Windage and Elevation are flush with the housing, further reducing weight and snag hazards.

The FAST FTC 4X comes standard in black and retails for $710. It is available for purchase now through authorized UNITY dealers and on UNITYtactical.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Contractor Bag w/ Frame

Friday, September 13th, 2024

This week, our Friday Focus is on a game-changing, staple piece of equipment that embodies versatility, durability, and adaptability: the Contractor Bag. Whether you’re on a mission in rugged terrain, working in demanding environments, or simply need a reliable way to transport gear, this bag has you covered.

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Removable metal frame
• Oversized zippered opening

The Contractor Bag is a spacious duffel styled bag with removable frame. The oversized zippered opening makes it easy to load and features secondary retention straps with quick release buckles. The frame is engineered to be lightweight and durable. It has 2 wheels which make the bag easy to maneuver. There are also reinforced handles in several key locations and external zippered pockets. Since all of the FirstSpear users we talked to, claim to have never used it in raids or ambushes, we decided to release it in some more travel-friendly colors.

Dimensions

• 16” wide
• 11.5” deep at the top 12.5” deep at the bottom
• 36” long

It’s more than just a bag; it’s a reliable partner in your mission success, designed to support you no matter where the job takes you.

For more information, check out www.first-spear.com/contractor-bag-and-rolling-frame.

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying | No Comments »

The Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System Program Achieves Two Major Milestones

Friday, September 13th, 2024

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army recently achieved two major milestones in the development of the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System Program, when the two competitors completed Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) conformance evaluations and flight demonstrations of their prototype aircraft.

The MOSA conformance evaluations were conducted in May, with Griffon Aerospace in Madison, Ala. and Textron Systems in Huntsville, Ala. Conducted collaboratively, the evaluation consisted of replacing the vendor prototype mission computers with a third-party surrogate mission computer and a mix of third-party and vendor software. Swapping the hardware and software allowed an independent assessor to measure the openness and modularity of the prototype systems to determine the extent to which MOSA objectives were satisfied. This MOSA conformance verification demonstrated early implementation of and alignment with required MOSA functional boundaries and will serve as a model for follow-on MOSA evaluations.

Following MOSA verifications, the FTUAS team executed flight demonstrations with both vendor prototypes at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC), a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems conducted multiple flights at RTC demonstrating key system characteristics including Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL), reduced acoustic signature, On-The-Move (OTM) command and control, rapid emplacement, system integration, and flight performance. Each vendor will continue prototype development, incorporate feedback and lessons learned, and deliver production representative prototypes for use in future Government-led testing at RTC ultimately informing the Army’s selection for a Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System program of record.

FTUAS will provide Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) with an organic capability to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations that collect, develop, and report actionable intelligence, allowing the BCT commander to maintain dominance during Multi-Domain Operations.

FTUAS transformational capabilities include VTOL for runway independence, OTM command and control, and Soldier led, field-level maintenance. FTUAS’s Modular Open Systems Approach allows the system to keep pace with technology through rapid capability insertions.

The Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is responsible for modernizing the Army Aviation fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft to maintain the Army’s asymmetric advantage of peer adversaries in large scale combat operations. PEO Aviation’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office is dedicated to rapidly fielding transformational UAS capabilities at echelon to Army formations.

–Program Executive Office, Aviation

Posted in Army, Aviation, Guest Post, UAS | No Comments »