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True Velocity Ammunition Advances to Shortlist for Australian LAND 159 Force Modernization Program

Monday, October 26th, 2020

Composite ammunition manufacturer vying to outfit Australia’s military through next generation equipment procurement process

GARLAND, TX (October 26, 2020) – Australia-based NIOA, a company specializing in the supply and sustainment of weapons and munition systems to the Australian Defense Force (ADF), has invited Texas-based True Velocity to the next stage in the LAND 159 Lethality Systems Project procurement process. The LAND 159 project will equip the men and women of the ADF with next-generation pistols, assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, direct fire support weapons, and ammunition. True Velocity, which manufactures composite cased ammunition for military, law enforcement and civilian use, will specifically participate in the narrowed search for next generation ammunition solutions.

“Being added to the shortlist for the LAND 159 program is clear acknowledgment of the benefits that composite ammunition can deliver to the warfighters of the future,” said Chris Tedford, President of True Velocity. “The composite casings we produce provide advantages on the battlefield through improved accuracy, reduced wear and tear on firearms, and a significant reduction in the weight of the ammunition itself compared to traditional brass. True Velocity also offers NIOA and ADF a partner that can put unmatched innovation in ammunition production technology to work benefitting overall logistics and spending.”

In collaboration with the Commonwealth of Australia, NIOA serves as Prime Contractor for the LAND 159 program. NIOA’s role includes identifying and approaching market providers such as True Velocity on behalf of the Commonwealth to identify and evaluate Sniper and Close Combat weapon systems and provide acquisition and support recommendations for future defense needs. Program participants ultimately selected will deliver next generation weapons and ammunition to the ADF in three phases or “tranches” over the next decade.

“For NIOA, the LAND 159 program is all about the next generation of Australia’s defense industry and, most importantly, the next generation of the ADF,” CEO Robert Nioa said. “The work of these young men and women is entrusted to all of us involved in the LAND 159 program. Their safety, and their ability to successfully complete missions is of the utmost importance and is why we must ensure that the ADF has the best equipment and ammunition available for years to come.’’

For more information on True Velocity, visit tvammo.com.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on True Velocity Ammunition Advances to Shortlist for Australian LAND 159 Force Modernization Program

Swedish Armed Forces Order Additional G3 Stocks from Spuhr AB

Friday, October 23rd, 2020

ddeköpinge, Sweden (October 23, 2020) – Spuhr i Dalby AB (Spuhr®) is awarded additional order for G3 stocks. Since 2016 Spuhr® has delivered more than 10,000 sets of our R-410 G3 Adjustable Stock (M4800-751529 KOLV AK4 JUSTERB /K) to the Swedish Armed Forces for the AK 4C and AK 4D rifles. Today it is with great pride that Spuhr® can announce that we have signed a new order with FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) for an additional 10,000 stock assemblies to be delivered by January 2021.

Mr. Ulf Nilsson, CEO, says, “We are proud of the continued trust shown by FMV and the opportunity to further improve the readiness of the Swedish Armed Forces by supplying them with our products.”

The Spuhr® R-410 G3 Adjustable Stock was designed to provide improved ergonomics and controllability for the G3 platform. Based on the success in Sweden, the R-410 – and its siblings, the R-310 and R-315 stocks, for the MP5 – are now in use with the Swedish Army and Home Guard, the Portuguese Marines, and with law enforcement in Germany and the Netherlands.

Spuhr i Dalby AB (Spuhr®) was founded in 2007 by Håkan Spuhr to design and manufacture advanced mounting solutions and weapon upgrade kits for elite military, police, and civilian customers. Best known for their Ideal Scope Mount SystemTM (ISMSTM,) an innovative and market-changing approach to optics attachment, Spuhr® is a market-leading Swedish manufacturer of optics mounts and weapon upgrade kits, such as their adjustable G3 and MP5 stocks, to law-enforcement and military units around the world.

For more information about Spuhr® and the R-410, please visit www.spuhr.biz.

Posted in Contracts, International, Weapon Accessories | Comments Off on Swedish Armed Forces Order Additional G3 Stocks from Spuhr AB

LMT Defense Begins Deliveries to the Estonian Defense Force

Friday, October 23rd, 2020

LMT Defense, America’s premier weapons manufacturer, is pleased to announce that it has begun delivering weapon systems and providing new equipment training (NET) to the Estonian Defense Force (EDF). A unique MARS-H 7.62 caliber rifle with a piston operating system was developed for this contract. This new variant, in the 7.62 family of rifles, utilizes LMT’s patented Monolith Rail Platform (MRP). LMT Defense plans to offer the 7.62 piston operated rifles and components.

The contract award was announced in May 2019 LMT Announcement. The rifles are the LMT Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System (MARS) family of rifles (5.56 and 7.62) – Developed in 2014 and delivered, under contract, to New Zealand Defense Force. The MARS weapon platform is a true ambidextrous system – including: bolt catch, bolt release, safety selector, magazine release, and charging handle. Additionally, the EDF purchased 40mm grenade launchers.

These EDF rifles include a single position piston setting, a bayonet lug, and a European-style trigger that allows the operator to put the rifle in the safe position when the hammer is un-cocked. Furthermore, shot counters have been installed into a new LMT ergonomic grip.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | 8 Comments »

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 »