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Norwegians Choose Thales for NORMANS Soldier System

Friday, October 14th, 2011

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has selected Thales to provide their commercialized version of the NORMANS Soldier Digitization effort. Over the next five years Thales will lead a team to produce the systems which are built to the specifications produced by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and and tested by the Telemark Battalion (TmBn).

The 2 NORMANS devices provide blue force tracking, navigation, target hand-off, and text messaging. NORMANS Light is worn by the individual Soldier member of a Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) squad and NORMANS Advanced is used by small unit leaders. As you can see NORMANS Advanced offers a full color display and will deliver more data rich information.

â€œNORMANS digitised soldier system will provide Norwegian soldiers with improved situational awareness, improved ability to navigate and will provide effective mission planning. As a result of this soldiers will have increased effectiveness and safety in operationsâ€, says Secretary of State in the MoD, Roger Ingebrigtsen.

www.Thales.no

Tags: Norway, Thales
Posted in Contracts, Digitization, Industry | 6 Comments »

What They Meant to Say Was…

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

JTRS isn’t cancelled. JTRS is like a Hydra with tentacles into each of the services. Think of it as “Too Big to Fail.” Despite press reporting to the contrary, it just isn’t so.

“Army Kills JTRS, Goes ‘Platform Agnostic’ With Network Plan” AOL Defense
“Boeing Army Radio Program Said to Face Termination for Cost” Bloomberg Business Week

For one thing, the Joint Tactical Radio System is actually several radios, and at least one of those, the Rifleman’s Radio, works.

So, cut the authors of those stories a little slack. I too have meant one thing but said it in a way that could be construed entirely differently. Recently, I said that Nett Warrior was cancelled. This was partially true. The Army isn’t going to buy that beast that we had. Instead, they’re restructuring the program to make it more relevant. So, the Army cancelled that solicitation but they didn’t kill the program. Killing a program is actually much easier said than done due to the hoops that you have to jump through to get a program approved and funded. Never fear, the same thing will happen with JTRS. Some of the segments will be restructured allowing industry to apply Moore’s Law and deliver more at a lower cost.

And, this isn’t the first time the press has said that JTRS is cancelled. That thing is like a cockroach. It will survive us all.

Tags: Nett Warrior
Posted in Comms, Contracts | Comments Off on What They Meant to Say Was…

Army Camouflage Improvement Effort Update

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

The most common questions we currently field are for updates on Phase IV of the Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort. Finally, we have an answer. In a PEO Soldier media roundtable earlier today COL William Cole, PM Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment related that the Army received over 20 submissions for their solicitation. The picture-in-picture evaluation strategy has been completed by over 900 Soldiers viewing the patterns in 45 environments. Currently, the Army is evaluating the data. According to COL Cole, they plan to brief the Army Senior Leadership late this month. Ultimately, the mix of patterns may be 3 commercial families and 2 Government or possible 4 commercial variants to 1 Government family of patterns.

Posted in Camo, Contracts, PEO-Soldier | 15 Comments »

BFG Selected to Provide Two-Point Slings for AF Security Forces

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

A variant of the Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Application Slingâ„¢ (VCAS) has been chosen by USAF Security Forces as their new two-point sling system for the M4 carbine. In a contract award announced yesterday, ADS Inc will provide over 22,000 of the sling kits to various units in the Air Force.

The kit consists of a VCAS, Vest Strap Adapter, an ITW Tac Link, a SOC-Câ„¢ Long Loop Adapter, and Buttstock Storage Pouch. While the contents might seem unconventional to many, it was assembled to fulfill Security Forces’ TTPs. For example, the Vest Strap can be used while wearing armor with the VCAS stowed in the Buttstock Storage Pouch. Conversely, while in a permissive environment where armor is not required, the VCAS is used. Additionally, a spare magazine is easily carried in the Buttstock Storage Pouch while the sling is on the weapon. Remember, for the most part Security Forces are doing just that, manning checkpoints, conducting roving patrols, etc. and may not need the enhanced capability of a two-point sling all of the time. However, they can configure their carbine for use with the two-point for situations where they need it.

Blue Force Gear USAF SF Sling Kit

Blue Force Gear products are available for agency and unit purchase through www.ADSinc.com/Blue-Force-Gear.

www.BlueForceGear.com

Tags: ADS Inc, Blue Force Gear
Posted in ADS, Contracts, weapons | 6 Comments »

MDM – Propper International

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

Propper International is one of the companies chosen to build FILBE for the USMC. Here is the Assault Pack. It features an asymmetric zipper for the main compartment.

Look for photos of the full pack soon.

www.propper.com

Tags: Modern Day Marine, Propper
Posted in Contracts, Packs | Comments Off on MDM – Propper International

SOCOM Suppressor Awards – Updated

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

The program is officially called the Family of Muzzle Brake Suppressors (FMBS). Two companies received awards.

From the Department of Defense

“Surefire, L.L.C.*, Fountain Valley, Calif., is being awarded a $23,329,230 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the family of muzzle brakes. Work will be performed in Fountain Valley, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2016.Contract funds in the amount of $1,800,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce website, with seven proposals received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-11-D-JN19).”

The SureFire products selected for the FBMS contract are:
For the SOCOM M4/CQBR fi rearm: FH556-215A adapter & FA556-212-DE suppressor
For the SOCOM M4/CQBR fi rearm training and blank fi ring: BFA-FA556-212 & TA-FA556-212
For the SOCOM MK13 fi rearm: FH762K05 adapter & FA762K-DE suppressor
For the SOCOM MK13 fi rearm training and blank fi ring: BFA-FA762K & TA-FA762K

“Advanced Armament Corp., Lawrenceville, Ga., is being awarded a $14,201,731 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the family of muzzle brakes. Work will be performed in Lawrenceville, Ga., and is expected to be completed by September 2016. Contract funds in the amount of $200,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce website, with seven proposals received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-11-D-JN18).”

AAC 249SD for the MK46

7.62 MG can was dropped from requirements, so no can adopted for the MK48

Tags: AAC, Surefire, USSOCOM
Posted in Contracts, weapons | 7 Comments »

M27 IAR Details

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

This brochure from IAR producer H&K will be released at Modern Day Marine later today. As you can see, the IAR, as issued, will include accessories from several companies including the Blue Force Gear VCAS sling.

HK M27 IAR

www.hk-usa.com

Tags: Blue Force Gear, H&K
Posted in Contracts, MARCORSYSCOM, weapons | Comments Off on M27 IAR Details

That Was Quick

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

The Triple Aught Design packs in MultiCam haven’t even been released yet and already there is a solicitation for them.

The 306th RQS is looking for:

0001 – 45 EA: FAST Pack EDC (T00170) Multicam or equal
0002 – 45 EA: BC8 (T00041) pouch or equal
0003 – 45 EA: BC4 (T00040) pouch or equal
0004 – 45 EA: PRP (500061) pouch or equal
0005 – 45 EA: OP1 (T00059) pouch or equal
0006 – 45 EA: RDDP2 (T00062) pouch or equal
0007 – 45 EA: MOLLE Panel (T00055) Coyote Khaki or equal

Tags: Triple Aught Design
Posted in Contracts, Multicam, Packs | Comments Off on That Was Quick