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Galvion’s Receives Follow-On 8,400 Batlskin Caiman Helmet Order for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) Programme

Thursday, July 18th, 2024

Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a follow-on order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. The Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract was awarded in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers, all successfully delivered. Now in year two of a five-year framework contract, the DND has exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, to date.

Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system has been tried and tested on operations and is in service across multiple countries, delivering unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. The helmet is equipped with Galvion’s premiere APEX lining system, an intuitively adjustable design that enables a customized fit for users.

The helmet systems assessed for DICE were trialled by members of the Canadian Light Infantry at the end of 2022. Conducted under operational conditions, the trials included the integration of equipment such as night vision goggles, gas masks, hearing protection, and cold-weather gear. The Caiman helmet received the highest rating by a significant margin and was selected after a phased bid process.

Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this significant order from the Canadian DND. The feedback that we are receiving is incredibly positive, and we look forward to outfitting more Canadian soldiers with our best-in-class Caiman head system under their wider equipment modernization initiative. Follow-on orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “In conjunction with the substantial Caiman orders that we continue to receive from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract, this recent Canadian order demonstrates that our flagship Caiman is fast becoming the global helmet of choice. In our unwavering pursuit to enhance the agility, lethality and survivability of the world’s most demanding military teams, this is certainly a rewarding achievement for our team.”

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COHORT PLC Contract Award

Tuesday, July 16th, 2024

EID signs €33m contract with NATO Communications and Information Agency

Cohort, the AIM-listed independent technology group, announces that, following a competitive tender, its subsidiary EID has signed a contract with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) to supply the Portuguese Army with a Tactical Deployable Communication and Information System (TDCIS). The value of the signed contract is €33 million with delivery over a three year period.

Andy Thomis, Cohort Chief Executive, said:

“We are delighted that EID has been selected for this important programme. EID is well-known for its communications technology and TDCIS will provide the Portuguese Army with a highly effective, modern system, interoperable with NATO allies. Together with recent contracts to provide its Integrated Communications System to Damen for the Portuguese Navy´s Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) and to the Chilean Navy, this win takes EID’s order intake to over €45m in the last 4 months.”

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Record Order for Rheinmetall: Bundeswehr Orders up to 6,500 Military Trucks – Value up to €3.5bn

Saturday, July 13th, 2024

Rheinmetall has been given the largest order in the company`s history concerning logistic vehicles by the Bundeswehr. The framework-contract was now signed in Koblenz and incorporates the delivery of up to 6,500 military trucks, valued up to €3.5bn incl. VAT.

After the budget committee of the Federal German Parliament had approved funding on 26 June 2024, the contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) was signed on 1 July 2024 by the President of the BAAINBw, Annette Lehnigk-Emden and the Management of RMMV. A first call-off for over 610 vehicles, valued at €312m incl. VAT is imminent, of which 250 trucks are to be delivered in 2024. The financing of this call is mainly based on the special funds of the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall AG will book the order in the third quarter of 2024 of the current fiscal year.

This framework-contract allows the Bundeswehr to flexibly order further quantities of already introduced unprotected transportation vehicles UTF 5t and UTF 15t-trucks for seven years. In addition to that, a new vehicle category will be introduced via the framework-contract: the 4×4 UTF 3.5t. It has a maximum of identical parts to the UTF family.

“The framework-contract is an essential contribution to a fast fulfillment of demand by the logistic forces of the Bundeswehr”, states Michael Wittlinger, Chairman of the management of Rheinmetall Military Vehicles GmbH. “The standardized vehicle family and the uniformity with vehicles of other beneficiary nations establish the HX-vehicles as the main logistic vehicles within NATO and set a standard for interoperability and logistic efficiency within the Alliance. Once again, this order reflects our leading role in the global market for logistic vehicles.”

“The extremely short period of four months from the invitation to tender to the signature of the contract underlines once more that the turning point for procuring logistic trucks has been introduced”, says Armin Papperger, CEO Rheinmetall AG. “We are thankful for the trust in the products of Rheinmetall.”

Already, the Ungeschützte Transportfahrzeug (UTF)-family has been contributing significantly to the performance of logistic units of the Bundeswehr. In July 2017, the Bundeswehr placed an order at Rheinmetall MAN for the delivery of the new family “UTF military all-terrain with 5t and 15t load capacity categories”. The UTFs are a show-case project which, especially within the procurement, has opened new ways. This was the first time that flexible framework agreements with large quantities have been concluded. Since 2017, more than 6,000 HX vehicles will be delivered to the Bundeswehr by the end of 2024, together with the swap-body loader systems (Wechselladersystem or WLS) and 70t tractor units. A large proportion of the added value at WLS and UTF – over 75 percent – is created in Germany.

UTF and WLS are based on the robust HX-family of RMMV. From the beginning, it was designed for military use and is characterized by high mobility, also in heavy terrain. The large world-wide distribution of the HX-vehicle family offers major advantages concerning interoperability and logistics, especially with respect to multinational missions. In addition to Germany, the user group currently includes the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Singapore, Slovenia, Denmark and Ukraine. The newly placed order highlights the high acceptancy of the tried-and-tested HX-vehicles of which about 20,000 are already in use world-wide.

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G3 Systems Wins Overseas Construction Works Contract for Security Improvements for British Embassy in Luanda, Angola

Friday, July 12th, 2024

G3 Systems Limited, the British company with over 20 years of operationally proven expertise in designing and producing deployable containerised solutions and providing infrastructure support to military and government organisations in remote locations across the globe, has just started construction works to improve the facilities and security of the British Embassy in Luanda, Angola.

The contract, awarded following a competitive tendering exercise, is a mix of demolition, refurbishment, new build andsecurity improvement works estimated to take 15 months. The project involves a number of complex elements that will have a significant benefit to the location including drainage remedial works, installation of a sewage treatment facility, updating and installing new M&E systems and extensive repairs, improvements and construction of security features for the compound. In addition to the specified construction works, G3 Systems will also be seeking to complete a number of local sustainability/charity projects to support the local community.

Nick Rose, Managing Director G3 Systems said, “This is another superb example of how G3 Systems are able todeliver high quality complex construction projects in remote and challenging locations. We have years of experience in supporting military operations overseas and I am very pleased that we are now able to use that hard earnt expertise to support UK national interests elsewhere in the world. It is also very rewarding for the team to be helping the local community and improving sustainability by effectively recycling and repurposing valuable materials.”

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US Army Announces Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack Contract Award

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD – The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) recently awarded a contract to Mastodon Design LLC in the amount of $99,991,845 for the procurement, training, and fielding of the Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack system.

“The efforts to demonstrate, test, and rapidly procure a COTS-based product significantly accelerated the procurement timeline and will result in early capability to the field starting this year. The TLS BCT Manpack is a mature, well-adopted system that will make a significant contribution to winning the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) fight,” said Ken Strayer, Project Manager Electronic Warfare and Cyber (PM EW&C). After successful prototyping and operational demonstration with Soldier touch points, the TLS BCT Manpack program received approval to transition into Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Fielding with a first unit issued planned in 2024.

The TLS BCT Manpack system is a tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities within the SIGINT Collection Team (SCT) and Electromagnetic Warfare Team (EWT) elements. It provides the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Commander a tactical advantage with a robust state-of-the-art mobile EW capability for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). The fully configurable system can conduct radio frequency (RF) surveying, signals collection and direction-finding operations, electromagnetic attack and force protection operations, and EMS visualization and scanning/surveying operations.

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Sweden Joins as Latest User of Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS UGV

Thursday, June 27th, 2024

Sweden has officially joined the growing list of countries aiming to adopt robotics to boost their defence capabilities by purchasing the THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) by Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer.

The THeMIS Cargo, equipped with MIFIK—Milrem’s Intelligent Functions Kit, which enables autonomous mobility—will be used for trials and experimentations by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FMV), and the Swedish Armed Forces.

The contract was signed at Eurosatory 2024 by Brigadier General Jonas Lotsne, Director of Land Systems at FMV and Sverker Svärdby, managing director of Milrem Robotics Sweden, in the presence of the Swedish Chief of Army, Major General Jonny Lindfors.

“We are proud to welcome Sweden as the latest user of the THeMIS UGV. Our collaboration will ensure that the Swedish forces are equipped with the most advanced robotic systems available, enhancing their operational effectiveness,” said Svärdby.

The THeMIS UGV is renowned for its versatility, reliability, and advanced technological features. Although purchased as a cargo version for supply delivery, the vehicle can be adjusted to perform casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and combat missions by integrating third-party technologies.

The integration process will involve rigorous training for Swedish military personnel to ensure seamless operation and maintenance of the vehicle. Additionally, Milrem Robotics will provide ongoing support and updates to ensure the system remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

Sweden’s decision to adopt the THeMIS UGV represents a forward-thinking approach to modern warfare, embracing innovation to stay ahead in an increasingly complex security landscape.

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GM Defense Provides Battery Electric Technology for Future Military Platforms

Wednesday, June 26th, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, is providing commercial battery electric technology in support of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) Pulsed Power and Energy Laboratory (PPEL) and Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD). The project, Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Batteries to Enable Directed Energy (EEVBEDE), is funded by the Operational Energy Innovation office of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through its Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF). UTA PPEL will evaluate the technology to understand current capabilities of commercial automotive batteries under dynamic discharge and charge scenarios. The team’s evaluation of the technology will help provide pathways and options for domestically supplied energy storage for future use in military platforms.

GM Defense is leveraging GM’s Ultium Platform propulsion architecture, for evaluation and testing. The Ultium Platform can deliver power, range and scale beyond any previous GM hybrid or extended range EV technology. Modular and scalable, the Ultium Platform can use different chemistries and cell form factors, making it adaptable to changing needs and new technology insertions as they become available. Utilizing the battery technologies of its parent company, GM Defense can help solve the DoD’s energy and energy storage challenges. The work performed in this new effort will provide insights into the performance and design considerations when batteries are used in more dynamic, high-power operations than would be faced by more typical applications. OECIF support plays a key role in the development of new power and energy technologies, which provide the DoD with advanced capabilities and help prevent power and energy from being a limiting factor.

“The Department of Defense can benefit from billions of dollars in GM investments to develop and manufacture transformative battery technologies,” says Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “These technologies offer significant potential to enhance operational capability, whether at the tactical edge or on installations throughout the world. GM Defense welcomes the opportunity to support this important project and to help transition our global defense and government customers.”

“We are excited to work with GM Defense to test the Ultium Platform to determine its potential for use in future warfighting applications. PPEL has a long relationship with the DoD and the Office of Naval Research for testing the limits of batteries used in high power applications, and we are in a unique position to evaluate this technology and make recommendations for future use cases,” said David Wetz, a professor of electrical engineering at UTA and director of the PPEL.

“As a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA is committed to working with industry to better develop and understand the potential of new technology. This collaboration between PPEL, GM Defense and the DoD will not only improve our nation’s military capabilities, but also adds to our workforce development efforts producing next generation engineers who will solve our nation’s complex problems,” said Peter Crouch, dean of UTA’s College of Engineering.

GM Defense previously announced its participation in the Defense Innovation Unit’s Jumpstart for Advanced Battery Standardization (JABS) project. Similar to EEVBEDE, JABS is designed to evaluate and test high voltage battery systems to optimize commercial technologies. GM Defense provided a prototype of a battery system based on GM’s Ultium Platform for the project. Under the same contract, GM Defense demonstrated mission power capabilities by integrating a high-voltage battery pack into a light tactical utility vehicle. Key learnings from JABS will help inform the integration requirements of future battery electric defense solutions. To learn more about GM Defense projects, visit www.gmdefensellc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

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HENSOLDT Supplies German Armed Forces with Spotter 42 Observation Optics

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Wetzlar (Germany)/Paris (France), 19 June 2024 – Following the delivery of the first batch last year, solution specialist HENSOLDT is now equipping the German Armed Forces with 90 additional Spotter 42. The enhanced Spotter complements HENSOLDT’s Spotter 60, which are already in use in the troops, and replaces a predecessor model.

Compared to the Spotter 60, the magnification range of the Spotter 42 starts at six times instead of twenty times. The Spotter 42 is therefore optimised for use with night vision and thermal imaging attachments (NSV and IRV). The result is a significant improvement in observation capability in restricted visibility conditions.

“The optical performance of the Spotter 42 is outstanding. It represents a milestone in the compact observation optics device category with its large field of view, high edge-to-edge sharpness and brilliant image quality across the entire magnification range of 6-42x,” explained the responsible Sales Manager Josef Reif.

The observation optics have become more compact thanks to a modified optical concept. The result is a high magnification range with low initial magnification while simultaneously reducing the weight. The Spotter 42 complies with Bundeswehr specifications and features steplessly adjustable reticle illumination as well as an integrated laser filter that compensates for the magnification-related increase in radiance of harmful laser radiation without noticeably impairing the visual transmission values.

The accessories include a long mounting rail with a Picatinny profile on both sides, allowing attachments of different heights to be used. Additional mounting rails on the device enable the attachment of various additional devices such as target pointers or rangefinders. “The initial feedback from users has been more than positive,” added Josef Reif. The Spotter 42 enhances the night combat capability of snipers by increasing their ability to observe in restricted visibility, thus making an important contribution to increasing the combat readiness of the German armed forces. The Spotter 42 was very well received by users and procurers from the military authorities of European nations at EnforceTac 2024 in Nuremberg and will be offered as a series device. In a further expansion stage, it will receive additional functional additions in the future that will expand its area of use.

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