Contracts | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

FirstSpear Friday Focus— FirstSpear Wins MAAWS Pocket Contract for MARCORSYSCOM

Friday, October 16th, 2020

Photo Credit: Department of Defense. US Marines fire a Carl Gustaf weapon system on Townshend Island at the Shoalwater Bay training area in Australia, July 21, 2017, during Talisman Saber 17.

Next year, the United States Marine Corps will begin fielding the 84mm MAAWS, a recoilless rifle weapons system to every squad in the corps. While the original version of the launcher was introduced in 1946, the ammunition has evolved significantly. The newest round, developed by Raytheon, is a precision-laser guided projectile with a multi-target warhead, capable of defeating bunkers, concrete, light-skinned vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Additionally, it has a range of nearly 2,000 meters and can be fired from inside an enclosed room.

FirstSpear is proud to announce it has received a contract to produce up to 10,200 of the company’s 84mm MAAWS Ammunition Pouch, to help Marines carry munitions under a balanced load in combat situations and quickly deploy them as needed. Awarded on September 25, 2020, the company is already ramping up production and will manufacture all pockets in the U.S. with Berry Compliant materials.

FirstSpear designed the pouch to be adjustable in length from 18 to 38 inches to accommodate a variety of projectiles, to meet current infrared requirements, and be compatible with current Marine Corps load bearing equipment. Zippered across both ends for ease of loading, the closed pocket design limits sand and debris exposure. It features an internal pocket primer protector and it comes equipped with an adjustable sling and tube straps for use with a hard case. Like all FirstSpear products, the 84mm MAAW Ammunition Pouch was designed to be durable, lightweight and highly functional.

For more information, check out First-Spear.com. To discover more about FirstSpear’s technology, check out First-Spear.tech.

Posted in Contracts, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post, Load Carrying, USMC | 3 Comments »

AeroVironment Secures $8.4 Million Puma 3 AE Unmanned Aircraft Systems Foreign Military Sales Contract Award for US Ally

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

• Puma 3 All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft system delivers immediate tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in maritime and land operations

• Customer is among the 50 allied government forces relying on AeroVironment’s innovative family of tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program promotes interoperability among U.S. and allied forces for joint operations

• Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA) enables 60 kilometer range, and is now available in both M1/2/5 and M3/4/6 Digital Data Link (DDL) military operating bands

Puma 3 AE (All Environment) is ideal for use in day, night, or low-light environments, and for land or maritime operations (Photo: AeroVironment)

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 13, 2020 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced it secured a $8,371,332 firm-fixed-price U.S. Department of Defense FMS contract award on September 25, 2020 for Puma™ 3 AE tactical UAS, training and support to an allied nation. Delivery is anticipated by March 2021.

“The United States Department of Defense and the defense forces of 50 allied nations around the world rely on AeroVironment’s family of tactical unmanned aircraft systems to protect and empower frontline troops in the harshest operating environments,” said Rick Pedigo, vice president of sales and business development at AeroVironment. “With an unmatched track record for reliability and effectiveness in combat, training and humanitarian operations, and a roadmap of continuous enhancement and innovation into the future, customers can rely on AeroVironment to proceed with certainty into any operational scenario.”

The AeroVironment Puma 3 AE is a fully man-portable unmanned aircraft system designed for land and maritime operations. The hand-launched Puma 3 AE has a wingspan of 9.2 feet (2.8 meters), weighs 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) and operates for up to 2.5 hours at line-of-sight range of 20 kilometers with a standard antenna, and up to 60 kilometers with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna. Capable of landing in water or on land, the all-environment Puma, with its Mantis i45 sensor suite, empowers the operator with extended flight time and a level of imaging capability never before available in the tactical UAS class.

To expand operational range, AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA) can be used with Puma 3 AE, and all other Digital Data Link (DDL) equipped UAS, increasing line-of-sight command and control up to 60 kilometers. The LRTA features a directional antenna mounted on a tracking positioner that allows for automatic or manual tracking of an aircraft at an extended stand-off range. In addition, an omnidirectional antenna provides redundancy and 360-degree coverage with reduced range capabilities. The LRTA is now offered in two versions – M1/2/5 and M3/4/6 – to support all DDL frequency bands and fit diverse mission needs.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on AeroVironment Secures $8.4 Million Puma 3 AE Unmanned Aircraft Systems Foreign Military Sales Contract Award for US Ally

Arnold Defense Announces Two Major Orders for FLETCHER Land Based 2.75-inch Rocket Launcher

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

Arnold Defense, the St. Louis based manufacturer of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, is pleased to announce the receipt of two major orders for their unique FLETCHER Land Based, Laser Guided Rocket Launcher. The FLETCHER precision guided 2.75-inch/70mm weapon system was first unveiled in 2017 at DSEi in London.

Arnold Defense is unable to disclose specific details regarding the new contracts in place however, one of the two orders has come from USSOCOM and the other is from an undisclosed European specialist unit. The timings, numbers, configurations and concepts of use are different for each customer, but Arnold and their integration partners will be delivering a combination of single (4-round) vehicle-mounted FLETCHER systems, as seen on display at numerous exhibitions and a new and unique twin-mounted (8-round) FLETCHER variant. Vehicle and static mounted FLETCHER systems give the user the ability to accurately engage targets from the ground at a range of over 5km.

Since the launch of the concept in 2017, FLETCHER has been showcased at a number of international exhibitions, generating exceptional levels of interest whilst Arnold Defense have continued with an ongoing development and investment program to broaden and prove the system’s already revolutionary capability. In April 2019 Arnold Defense announced the placement of the very first ‘proof of concept’ order for FLETCHER. In June of this year, BAE Systems announced the successful live firing of their APKWS® laser-guided rockets using the FLETCHER ground-based launcher. Arnold Defense are also working on some other revolutionary development projects for FLETCHER including a boat-mounted marine variant and further development of their 23-round MLHS ground-based system, first unveiled at DSEi in 2019.

With FLETCHER, Arnold Defense has made a bold departure from the traditional concept of use for 2.75-inch rocket systems; that of an area suppression weapon delivered by aviation assets. Arnold’s innovative approach FLETCHER using advanced rocket-guidance technology to utilize ground-based launch platforms, meeting the demands of modern, vehicle-mounted and dismounted asymmetric warfare.

FLETCHER’s unique design allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment. It employs an existing suite of guidance modules, rockets and warheads, already used in well-known programs and readily available to global forces. As a result, the FLETCHER system is ‘rocket agnostic’ allowing the user to fire their existing in-service 2.75-inch rockets of choice.

Doug Wallace, recently appointed President at Arnold Defense said, “Arnold Defense is delighted to have signed these two contracts to supply our supremely capable FLETCHER surface-based rocket launcher.” He added, “FLETCHER has generated huge interest globally with its unique capability to deliver organic, long-range precision firepower to even the smallest tactical element. It is great to see serious international interest developing into firm orders and we’re expecting much more to follow.”

www.arnolddefense.com

The supporting image has been provided by MSI Defense, an integration partner of Arnold Defense. This image is an example vehicle fit of FLETCHER and is not representative of anything mentioned in this press release regarding the contracts announced.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, weapons | 5 Comments »

Belgium Contracts 322 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles from Oshkosh Defense

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, announced today that the Belgium Ministry of Defence has awarded Oshkosh Defense a contract for 322 Oshkosh Defense Command and Liaison Vehicles (CLV) for the Belgium Defence Forces.

The Belgian CLV is the proven Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) platform from Oshkosh equipped with Belgian communication systems. The JLTV is currently used by the U.S. military.

“Oshkosh Defense is honored that Belgium has chosen to equip its armed forces with the Oshkosh CLV”, said John Bryant, Executive Vice President, Oshkosh Corporation, and President, Oshkosh Defense.

“The Oshkosh CLV offers Belgian soldiers the world’s most advanced light military vehicle, delivering next-generation levels of protection, off-road mobility, speed, transportability, and seamless operational and logistical interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies,” Bryant continued.

“The Belgian Defence opted for a worldwide competition in which “money for value” was the only criterion,” said Director Land Systems Colonel Filip De Varé. “The CLV will be integrated in the CaMo program, an international partnership between the French and Belgian land forces.”

Traditionally procured via foreign military sales, the Belgian procurement marks Oshkosh Defense’s first large direct commercial sale of a JLTV-based vehicle. Belgium joins the United States, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Montenegro in choosing this vehicle.

As a globally recognized leader in the design and production of military vehicle systems, Oshkosh Defense has the capacity to support both domestic and international customer demand.

www.oshkoshdefense.com

Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | 1 Comment »

German Military Cancels Contract With CG Haenel for New Rifles After H&K Alleges Patent Infringement

Friday, October 9th, 2020

Last month, the German Defense Ministry announced a contract award to CG Haenel for 120,000 of the MK556 carbine to replace the G36 manufactured by Heckler & Koch.

This sent shockwaves through the small arms industry as H&K had provided rifles for the German Army since the 1950s. The win was based primarily on price but as soon as the award was announced, many began to question whether CG Haenel could handle the scope of the contract.

This is partly navies CG Haenel is part of the Merkel Group, which is under Tawazun Holding (United Arab Emirates) (Caracal). That being said, the Haenel plant was once used to manufacture rifles for the East German Army when that country still existed.

The MK556 is quite similar in design to the HK416 and that is because the chief engineer for the 416 project left HK years ago, first for SIG where he worked on the MPX and MCX and later to Caracal where he developed a family of rifles.

Heckler & Koch is suing CG Haenel for alleged Intellectual Property infringement. Consequently, the German government has cancelled the contract in what may well be a case of buyer’s remorse.

Posted in Contracts, International, weapons | 11 Comments »

High Ground Wins Next Gen ANG Helmet Cover

Tuesday, October 6th, 2020

Ehmke Manufacturing Company, Inc., home of High Ground is pleased to announce that the Air National Guard (ANG), has awarded a contract to purchase High Ground’s newly designed “TANGO-SFS” helmet cover for their special operations and security forces units.

High Ground’s TANGO-SFS helmet cover is specifically developed for operators that require demanding performance criteria, functionality and Berry Compliance. High Ground’s technical staff and application engineers worked directly with the Air National Guard to evaluate, research and test downrange feedback that resulted in product enhancements and the incorporation of unique design elements in the ANG’s head borne protection systems.

“Our team of engineers working under the direction of Executive Vice President Michael Runella, were able to develop a helmet cover that exceeds the requirements to support the mission of our Air National Guard (ANG),” said High Ground President Glenn Aust. “Our mission at High Ground is and has always been to focus on what we can do to support our war fighters as they selflessly work each day to protect us and the interests of our country.”

“These advancements position High Ground as a major contributor to future head borne systems that will benefit the military. High Ground now offers a 100% Berry Compliant, made in the U.S.A., commercial off the shelf (COTS) product,” said Mike Runella, Executive Vice President.

“Mike Runella and his product development team did an excellent job of translating the Air National Guard’s performance criteria into a robust head borne systems product. The joint collaboration between the soldier and our technical team has resulted in a high-performing product for our front-line soldiers,” commented Ehmke CEO Bob Rosania. “I see this as just the first product we will develop with the help of the Air National Guard.

The complete High Ground product catalogue of tactical gear and armor can be found at www.highgroundgear.com.

High Ground: We Make Every Stitch Count…

Posted in Advertiser, Air Force, Contracts, Helmets, Press Release | 10 Comments »

US Army Adopts Silvus for Integrated Tactical Network Capability Set ‘21

Monday, October 5th, 2020

$3 Million MANET StreamCaster Radio Investment to Scale the CS21 Middle-Tier Architecture

Los Angeles, California (October 1, 2020) – Silvus Technologies, Inc. (“Silvus”) today announced the receival of a $3 million order from the U.S. Army to provide the first commercial mobile ad hoc network (MANET) radio deployed at scale in the Army’s Middle-Tier Integrated Tactical Network. As part of Capability Set 21 Critical Design Review, Silvus radios were selected to connect key command and control nodes due to both their self-organizing network designed to operate in multiple spectrum bands at high data rates, and their interference mitigation capabilities.

“The Silvus StreamCaster radio provides robust, high bandwidth connectivity for the Army with a MANET waveform that has been proven effective on the ground, underground, and in the air and sea,” said Mike Kell, Silvus Director of Army Strategic Accounts, Retired Signal Corps Colonel. “In concert with the S&T and PEO communities, we continue to improve the MN-MIMO waveform’s ability to thrive in congested and contested environments, which is critical to today’s Army.”

Silvus radios will be deployed in both mobile and at-the-halt configurations, providing continuity of operations for tactical forces that was previously unattainable with the singular reliance on at-the-halt communications infrastructure. Additionally, Silvus radios will support the initial ITN fielding to four infantry brigade combat teams in FY21.

The $3 million order comes on the heels of Silvus’ successful demonstration of a 140-node network working in a narrow band network to deliver large volumes of position and location information in a company-scale formation over operational distances in support of the Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program.

Posted in Comms, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on US Army Adopts Silvus for Integrated Tactical Network Capability Set ‘21

Glock Announces Coast Guard Adoption of Gen 5 Glock 19 MOS

Thursday, October 1st, 2020

In spite of committing to the M18 variant of DoD’s Modular Handgun System made by SIG SAUER, the US Coast Guard appears to have changed course and adopted the Glock Gen 5 G19 MOS according to a press release by Glock. The pistols will be purchased through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract.

U. S. Coast Guard Selects and Fields GLOCK Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. – September 29th, 2020 GLOCK, Inc., a global leader in firearm manufacturing, is proud to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has selected and begun fielding the GLOCK pistols after a thorough review of testing results.

The USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime with a maritime law enforcement mission with jurisdiction in domestic and international waters. The USCG is charged with protecting America’s economic, national, and border security as America’s maritime first responder. With missions of search and rescue, homeland security, and national defense, the USCG requires a reliable sidearm that performs in all conditions and harsh elements.

After careful evaluation of existing federal contracts supported by GLOCK, the USCG selected to purchase through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract the GLOCK 19 Gen5 MOS as the standard service pistol. USCG acquisition objective was fulfilled by GLOCK within four months of the initial purchase request. CBP’s extensive solicitation process, which included independent testing by the Institute of Justice Laboratories, comprehensive field evaluations, and direct input from 16,000 CBP law enforcement personnel, helped guide the selection by USCG.

“GLOCK is honored to support the requirements of the USCG and provide a weapon solution that delivers on unmatched performance and value in any environment,” said GLOCK, Inc. VP Josh Dorsey. “The comprehensive testing and evaluation process conducted by CBP demonstrated the GLOCK pistols lasting reliability that instills confidence in those who use it to go into harm’s way.”

The CBP award incorporates GLOCK’s newest 5th Generation technology pistols. For more information about GLOCK Gen5 technologies, visit us.glock.com .

Posted in Contracts, weapons | 4 Comments »