November 2024 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for November, 2024

Allen-Vanguard Collaborates with Metis Aerospace to Deliver Enhanced Counter-Drone Capabilities

Monday, November 18th, 2024

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customised solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is very excited to announce a strategic collaboration with the domain knowledge experts in passive RF detection, Metis Aerospace. This collaboration has been established to leverage their respective expertise and proven products to address the growing requirement for a highly mobile counter unmanned air system (C-UAS) capability that delivers a tried and tested baseline capability to detect and defeat an increasing range of threats posed by the nefarious use of drones. Both Allen-Vanguard and Metis Aerospace will be at the Specialist Defence and Security Convention (SDSC) on 18th-20th November 2024 at Telford International Centre, UK to discuss this collaboration and their respective range of existing products and capabilities.

Metis has extensive experience in the RF detect domain, with several products that are already the cornerstone of many larger protection systems across a wide range of sectors. For over 10 years, they have been at the forefront of C-UAS detection capability development, advising the MoD and receiving research funding to develop their innovative technologies, such as SKYPERION. Allen-Vanguard is equally an operationally proven subject matter expert in defeating RF threats, including cutting-edge counter-drone solutions, like ANCILE, that are used by militaries, security forces and NGOs globally to protect their personnel and key assets.

In an era where drone technology is rapidly evolving, and how drones are being employed on the battlefield is going through an unprecedented revolution, the Allen-Vanguard and Metis collaboration combines their respective ground-breaking and innovative technologies to provide the necessary expertise, agility and technology to properly mitigate this threat. The operationally proven ingenuity and agility of both companies can be brought to bear on the key subset of the C-UAS market that is demanding increased manoeuvrability and effectiveness at a practical price point. In addition, both companies have built an excellent reputation for enduring customer support to ensure deployed systems are maintained with the latest detection and defeat waveforms as the RF battlespace evolves.

Tony Burnell, CEO of Metis Aerospace said: “We are very excited to be collaborating with Allen-Vanguard to develop this capability that we see meets a growing market demand. It makes perfect sense for us to work together and exploit our expertise in the detect function and then fully synchronise and integrate with an Allen-Vanguard defeat capability. This combination will be a real protection benefit for all our customers.”

Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard said: “I am delighted to announce this collaboration with Metis that, as fellow SME domain knowledge experts, perfectly complements our own portfolio of products. The ability to combine the detect and defeat functions into one capability will undoubtedly deliver enhanced C-UAS capabilities to better counter modern hostile drone operations.” He added, “We are also pursuing a number of qualified opportunities in the Middle East and Eastern Europe from users who have reached out, seeking a cost-effective and efficient system for a baseline, mobile C-UAS capability. The strength of Metis’ portfolio of offerings also has applicability to domestic and international requirements outside the scope of C-UAS and we’re actively engaged in exploring these exciting opportunities”

Posted in EW, Industry, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

SK Customs Announces “Alexander the Great,” Introduces Conquerors Series

Sunday, November 17th, 2024

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – November 15, 2024 – SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce its new “Alexander the Great” production. Introducing SK’s all-new “Conquerors Series,” this firearm is a limited-edition product of only 200 Colt 1911s in Royal Blue and chambered in .38 Super.

Alexander the Great was a member of an ancient dynasty, born to King Philip II of Macedonia. This royal lineage paved the way for Alexander’s military success. He was tutored at a young age by the legendary erudite Aristotle, who inspired his interests in philosophy, medicine and science.

Shortly after assuming his divine right of kingship, Alexander proceeded to battle. His victories led him to control the League of Corinth, launch the Pan-Hellenic project, take leadership over all Greeks in their conquest of Persia and eventually led to the overthrow of King Darius III of Persia.

“Alexander’s conquest throughout Asia and Egypt established one of Earth’s largest empires and led to over twenty cities named after him or one of his closest followers,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “Alexander the Great exemplifies the modern image of an ancient conqueror, and we could not think of a better figure in our world’s history to introduce this new series.”

The left side of the slide depicts several scenes, including imagery of battle, Aristotle, Alexander the Great and his followers. The right side of the slide is adorned with Alexander the Great during battle, thrusting his spear in one hand and brandishing his shield in another. The entire pistol is highly polished in Royal blue with 24k gold plating.

The Greek Key borders the sides of the slide, with some of the cities he conquered engraved with subtle shading. The forward top of the slide features Alexander the Great raising his sword in victory, with the rear top of the slide boasting the Vergina Sun Macedonian Star and 16 triangular rays. A floral scroll complements the entire firearm, and the grips have been gold-filled with the theme of the series showcasing a range of historic weaponry.

This firearm can be purchased here. MSRP begins at $2800.

Posted in Firearms, Press Release | No Comments »

SÄRMÄ Cottage Rank Insignia from Varusteleka

Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Varusteleka is based in Finland and not only do they make great gear, but they have fun as well. Take for example these Cottage Rank Insignia’s.

They look and feel like genuine Finnish military rank insignia, but they are designed for civilian battlefields. They have the same simple hook and loop attachment system as issue clothing so you can sport them for fun.

Prince Colonel

Prince Colonel is the rank of the head of guard for the queen of Fog Valley. There is also a herbal liqueur with this name in Finland. This might also suit someone who is into stolen valor larping and in need of a made-up military rank.

The Sheriffs

These ranks have everything to do with the national drink of Finland, Jaloviina. The one star Jaloviina has been aptly named “Sheriff Bottle” by loving customers. The more stars there are on your Jaloviina bottle, the quality gets better but the overall taste somehow gets worse. Get “three stars” if you think you deserve cognac but can’t afford it – get “one star” if you’re attuned with the universe and know that life is all about pain and disgust.

Sauna Gollum ranks

Sauna Gollum is a delightful Finnish party game. The person chosen as Sauna Gollum goes under the sauna benches to poke the people sitting on them from underneath. The first one to stand up becomes the new Sauna Gollum. Great game among naked friends. Since the game is very demanding, you will start at the candidate stage and work your way to the esteemed Sauna Gollum rank through rigorous training.

Sauna Major

Sauna Major is the commander of the sauna troops, and the one in charge of heating the sauna and making sure that there is enough löyly, you know the magical steamy heat that we love here almost as much as sisu. So, if you master the art of heating a traditional sauna or simply love the experience like a Finn, this is a patch for you.

Grill Sergeant

Here’s a rank for all BBQ soldiers that protect their pits until the very end. May your grill never go cold.

Grill Master

As the highest non-commissioned officer rank in outdoor cooking, Grill Master oversees the Grill Sergeants keeping sausages in line on the grills – when he has time, that is, as he is very busy with his own beverage investigations, working on a case somewhere.

Made in Finland

These are manufactured by patch makers who also make insignia for the Finnish army. In other words, these are quality stuff!

Get yours here.

Posted in Advertiser, International, Morale | 2 Comments »

Saab’s Autonomous Swarm Technology Used in Landmark AUKUS Trial

Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Saab’s Autonomous Swarm technology recently featured in the ground-breaking Project Convergence 2024 trials, consisting of one month in the United States. A large UK team, comprising 40 employees from Saab-owned BlueBear and UK MOD Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) personnel, demonstrated the ability to deploy interoperable AI within Autonomous Swarms of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).

AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, held trials that demonstrated the pivotal role of BlueBear’s technology in collaborative, networked, swarms of UAS. BlueBear’s AI enabled Centurion™ mission system provided the ability for a single operator to command a diverse swarm of autonomous UAS.

At the core of BlueBear’s AI-enabled autonomy solution is the ability to ‘hot-swap’ AI from any supplier in an autonomous systems-of-systems. This technology is key to unlocking the game-changing potential of deployed networked sensors and effectors in an integrated multi-domain battlefield.

BlueBear’s RedKite and Ghost UAS, were used in tandem with Centurion™, by the tri-nation AUKUS team to rapidly retrain and deploy AI algorithms, that enabled the payloads and UASs.

”The AUKUS trials marks a significant increase in our ability to interoperate with allied nations, both at mission and core technology levels. Significant investment from both the UK Government and Saab’s BlueBear have allowed us to collectively mature and de-risk high-value technologies that are imperative in modern warfare,” says Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director, Saab UK.

The AUKUS trial was the culmination of Autonomy and Open Architecture work consistently funded by Dstl over two decades. Find additional details of the trials on gov.uk.

Saab acquired BlueBear in August 2023, as its rapid capability accelerator innovating new technologies and integrating them across Saab’s portfolio.

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

Brigantes Partners with Combat Flip Flops as Their UK and EMEA Distributor

Saturday, November 16th, 2024

Specialists in on-the-soldier equipment with particular expertise in the realm of extreme cold weather operations, flip flops may not seem like the most obvious segway for a company like Brigantes, the UK-based supplier of technical equipment and apparel for NATO military, government, and elite police units. However, this is no ordinary flip flop company, as is evidenced by anyone who has spent time in the company of Combat Flip Flops co-founder, Matt Griffin (Griff).

Bad for running, worse for fighting
Born out of a dream to “bring some good vibes to the world” Combat Flip Flops was founded by former US Rangers, Matt Griffin and Donald Lee, along with Andy Sewrey, during a post-military trip to Afghanistan in 2009. Inspired by their time in the military, their range of footwear, shemaghs and jewellery accessories embody comfort, practicality and style. Crafted using high-quality materials in small-scale factories in Colombia, Afghanistan and Laos, their products aren’t tactical, but they are seriously good.

Combat Flip Flop’s goal is simple: to inspire peace, relaxation and to make the world a better place. A mission which they pursue through the causes that they support. From an early endeavour to deliver vital education to girls in Afghanistan, to their current support of One More Wave, an organisation that provides customised surfing equipment for wounded and disabled veterans. Combat Flip Flops are defined by their commitment to delivering high quality products whilst simultaneously bettering the lives of people around the world. By uniting individuals from both the military community and conflict-affected regions, Combat Flip Flops brings together these seemingly disparate groups for a common purpose.

A Shared Mission
Two organisations with closely aligning values, Combat Flip Flops and Brigantes also share a lot of common history. Both founded by military veterans who served on tours in the Middle East as well as several other global conflict zones. An extensive past of military service has ignited for both companies a shared desire to give back, both to the regions in which they served, as well as the armed forces community. Brigantes is the official equipment sponsor of the Invictus Games Foundation, an organisation which facilitates sporting events and adventures for wounded and sick veterans, and so a partnership with Combat Flip Flops, a company distinguished by their passionate core purpose and philanthropic endeavours, makes sense.

The agreement between the two companies will see Brigantes assume responsibility for all UK and EMEA sales of Combat Flip Flops products. From their bestselling AK 47 flip flop, crafted from premium leather with an ergonomic footbed and injection-moulded arch support, to the Shadowban High Top, designed with durable fabrics and featuring a leather toe cap and tongue, their collection embodies a military veteran’s unique take on timeless footwear styles. Despite the name, these shoes are most certainly not designed for combat. Their motto: “bad for running, worse for fighting” says it all. But for those in search of high quality, thoughtfully crafted pieces, inspired by military service and in aid of a valuable global cause, these really are second to none.

For more information or to discuss placing an order, please contact Brigantes: brigantes.com/contact

Posted in Boots, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Feind Hört Mit

Saturday, November 16th, 2024

Our friends at Spartan.AT are offering a fun tip of the hat to the German language version of “The Enemy Is Listening.”

“Der Feind Hört Mit” dates back to at least World War Two where the slogan was placed on propaganda posters as well as affixed to the front of radios. This is an DDR (East German) National Volks Armee version of the Soviet Cold War-era R104M radio. Check out the engraving at the top.

Get your patch at shop.spartanat.com/products/feind-hort-mit-der-patch

Posted in International, Morale | No Comments »

Red Dragon Snipers Showcase Skill at Finnish Championship

Saturday, November 16th, 2024

RICHMOND, Va. – For the third consecutive year, snipers from the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team traveled to Finland to compete against their international peers at the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship.

Three Red Dragon snipers — Staff Sgt. Joshua Johnson, Sgt. James O’Connell and Spc. Jonathan Farrar — competed Sept. 20-22 at a training site near Imatra, Finland.

“Being a sniper is the privilege of a lifetime,” O’Connell said. “It is something I’ve wanted to do since before I joined and something I’ve earned through hard work and a genuine love of country. Competing internationally is an honor I hope to earn again.”

The multiday event included numerous stages designed to test the snipers on their craft.

“While shooting was the central focus of the event, the Finnish cadre clearly demonstrated an understanding that our jobs are more than just being good behind the rifle,” O’Connell said.

Competitors had to prove their competency with skills, including tactical casualty care and calling in air support, and numerous physical challenges. O’Connell said those skills and the ability to conquer challenges using “raw physical strength” are all “critical to a sniper’s role” and part of what sets the sniper apart from the basic marksman.

“The competition was very dynamic and each event would require you to create a plan in less than 5 minutes and execute the plan,” Farrar said. “Events were timed and would require you to stealthily set up your shooting positions prior to engagements.”

To prepare for the competition, the three first trained independently. Farrar said he focused on “running, rucking and doing calisthenics” to face the physical challenges. Then, the snipers came together at Fort Barfoot for several days of more focused training.

“We trained on shooting in various positions, making simultaneous shots, stress shooting and stalking,” Farrar said.

O’Connell said the team focused on tackling targets at unknown distances and firing from the standing position.

“On my own time, I studied formulas I would use, focused on my physical exercise routine and on endurance cardio, and got trigger time on my personal rifle to stay sharp,” he said.

The snipers finished 9th out of 14 teams. Each Virginia sniper expressed appreciation for the work put in by their Finnish hosts and left the competition with a few valuable lessons.

“I learned that there’s a surprising amount of overlap in the way that we and the rest of NATO do things as snipers,” O’Connell said. “I feel confident that if I had an English-speaking Finn as my spotter, we would have no trouble working together and getting a good effect on target.”

Farrar called the HÄYHÄ 2024 Sniper Shooting Championship his best military experience to date.

“I enjoyed the competition because it was challenging [and] I was able to build relationships with the other competitors,” Farrar said. “Our community is small and we are always looking for ways to become better and more lethal.”

By SFC Terra C. Gatti, Virginia National Guard Public Affairs Office

Posted in Army, Guest Post | Comments Off on Red Dragon Snipers Showcase Skill at Finnish Championship

DroneShield Formally Recognized for Innovation and Recruitment Efforts

Friday, November 15th, 2024

DroneShield Honored with Prestigious Military and Aerospace Electronics Innovator Platinum Award for Counterdrone Immediate Response Kit

Warrenton, Virginia – DroneShield, a leader in counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) solutions, has been awarded the top Platinum Award for Innovation by Military and Aerospace Electronics for its Immediate Response Kit (IRK) solution. The prestigious accolade recognizes the IRK as a “superb innovation characterized by a groundbreaking approach to meeting a need” in the defense and aerospace sector.

DroneShield’s IRK includes the DroneGun Mk4, a highly effective handheld defeat pistol designed to neutralize unauthorized drones, and the RfPatrol Mk2, an advanced handheld tool that detects, identifies, and locates drone signals in real-time. These devices, packaged in a compact and portable flyaway case, provide military, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure protection teams with rapid, reliable solutions for drone detection and defeat in field operations.

DroneShield’s Immediate Response Kit (IRK)

DroneShield’s IRK is designed to be highly effective in a range of demanding environments and can be body-worn, deployed on ground, or used in vehicle-based operations. The IRK is supplied with omni-directional ISM band antennas with no intentional RF transmissions for quiet and safe wearable operation. Continuing with a user-centric design, the IRK supports integration into existing software systems via existing API and utilizing common open standards. Notably, intuitive, and easy-to-use controls allow for rapid deployment with optimized power from the NATO-standard battery to deliver increased disruption range and effectiveness.

“By integrating state-of-the-art RF technology with user-centric design, the IRK sets the standard for portable drone defense, offering unparalleled ease of use and operational flexibility for those in critical missions and high-stakes environments,” said Matt McCrann, Chief Executive Officer at DroneShield LLC. “We are proud of the team responsible for our innovative technology, like the Immediate Response Kit, and grateful for the recognition of our cutting-edge solution that meets the evolving needs of our customers.”

For more information about the Immediate Response Kit and other advanced C-UAS solutions from DroneShield, view our range of C-UAS products.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DroneShield Formally Recognized for Innovation and Recruitment Efforts