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Barrett Lands New US Army Contract for M107 Rifle System

Saturday, December 7th, 2024

A U.S. Army soldier fires down range with the Barrett M107. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod)

MURFREESBORO,TN — Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. has secured a new U.S. Army contract for the M107 Rifle System and variant systems, such as the Model 82A1 and M107A1, extending the company’s long-standing support of America’s military.

The Barrett M107 has been an integral part of the U.S. Armed Forces’ long-range arsenal for more than two decades, delivering unmatched firepower, accuracy, and reliability in the field.

The new$14,999,500 contract, which includes accessories, spare parts and training support, will be delivered through late 2029.

Barrett Vice President of Business Development and Sales Ryan Krantz said the latest contract ensured the continued supply of the M107 Rifle System and its variants to support U.S. Army missions worldwide.

“This contract reaffirms the trust that the U.S. Army has placed in the M107 Rifle System and Barrett’s commitment to excellence,” he said. “We are honored to continue providing our troops with a superior platform that has stood the test of time in both performance and reliability.”

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Contracts, Press Release, weapons | Comments Off on Barrett Lands New US Army Contract for M107 Rifle System

Elbit Systems UK Delivers Full Suite of Fires Training to the British Armed Forces

Thursday, December 5th, 2024

I/ITSEC, Florida – 4th December 2024: Elbit Systems UK (ESUK), a defence technology business, has completed the System Acceptance Trials (SAT) for the mobile component of the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (Mobile) (JFST(M)). JFST delivers high-fidelity immersive training for troops who direct fires from artillery, combat aircraft, helicopters, or Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles – known as Joint Fires Operators. With the completion of these final trials, ESUK has delivered its sixth and final JFST training platform type to Front-Line Commands.

This milestone means that ESUK has delivered all six capabilities of the JFST platform to the British Armed Forces. ESUK previously delivered five of the six different variants of JSFT systems to bases across the UK including at the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, and the Air Ground Operations School at RAF Leeming. The systems fielded include a 285-degree dome for JTAC training, versions to provide mounted and dismounted training as well as the capabilities to provide the training needed for personnel to conduct battle group level exercises. To date, JFST has delivered over 12,000 hours of training to British Armed Forces and NATO allies.

The inaugural deployment of JFST(M) training has been delivered to 3 Commando Brigade Fires Personnel in Scotland. With further training exercises planned, the family of JFST training solutions offers users a fully immersive experience, allowing users to sense, decide and control joint effects without the need for expensive military assets – bearing cost efficiencies for all branches of the Armed Forces and boosting training capacity.

The JFST training system is part of ESUK’s solutions-based approach to working with the British Armed Forces. With a wide selection of training on offer, the business’ innovative approach provides full training solutions without the need to combine live air, land, and sea assets – saving Armed Forces time and money.

The 285-degree dome system has also passed US and NATO accreditation meaning that it can be used by allied nations to provide JTAC and joint fires training to deliver better prepared Armed Forces Personnel.

Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK said:

“JFST is a highly capable and technologically advanced training system which has demonstrated the benefits synthetic training can provide to the British Armed Forces. We will continue to support this training for all branches of the Armed Forces”.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, Training | No Comments »

TRX DAPS II Approved for Full-Rate Production

Wednesday, December 4th, 2024

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) recently announced that the TRX DAPS GEN IIsolution has received approval for Full-Rate Production (FRP).

TRX received the $402 million DAPS GEN II Program of Record award from the U.S. Army just 18 months ago, so achieving the FRP milestone this quickly is an outstanding accomplishment that demonstrates the rapid and successful DAPS GEN II program execution.

www.trxsystems.com

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, Sensors | Comments Off on TRX DAPS II Approved for Full-Rate Production

Bombardier Defense Delivers First Global 6500 Aircraft To The U.S. Army’s HADES Program

Wednesday, November 27th, 2024

Bombardier Defense delivered the first Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft in support of the United States Army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program during a ceremony held at Bombardier Group’s U.S. Headquarters in Wichita, Kansas

The Global 6500 is a proven platform providing range, speed, reliability and endurance. It represents the ideal fixed-wing solution for the U.S. Army’s next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, flying higher, faster and farther than legacy airborne sensor platforms

With the ability to deploy in all weather conditions, and the support of Bombardier’s 24/7 worldwide services network, Bombardier’s Global family of aircraft has become the platform of choice for over 10 different mission types

The Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft delivered to the U.S. Army in support of the HADES program.

Bombardier Defense celebrated the delivery of the first Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to the United States Army in support of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. Bolstered by the Global 6500’s high-performance capabilities, the fixed-wing platform will contribute to strengthening the U.S. Army’s aerial deep sensing abilities and marks a significant milestone toward the United States’ goal of modernizing its aerial military intelligence.

Joined by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), State of Kansas officials, and U.S. Army leaders, the celebration highlighted the delivery of the first prototype airframe for the next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solution and the beginning of the next stage of the program to integrate systems.

“Bombardier Defense is honored to support the U.S. Army with the delivery of the first Global 6500aircraft, a high-performance platform that possesses the speed, endurance-at-range and altitude capabilities to support deep-sensing for the Army of tomorrow,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President of Bombardier Defense. “This best-in-class jet is the future-proofed solution to provide the U.S. Army with the capabilities needed to face current and future threats.”

“We are proud of the partnership with Bombardier Defense and the mission-focused professionals in the State of Kansas. We remain excited about the opportunities we can unlock by pairing the performance, versatility and reliability of the Global 6500 with modern payloads aligned to priority intelligence requirements. HADES is the centerpiece of the Army’s collection strategy, and the Global 6500 is the system that brings that strategy to life. This aircraft gives us the range, payload capacity, speed and endurance to deliver timely, relevant and responsive capabilities for the full spectrum of Army and Joint collection requirements.” – Andrew Evans, Director, HQDA G-2 ISR Task Force

“The partnership between Bombardier, the U.S. Army and the Wichita workforce has produced a next-generation aircraft equipped to meet the demands of warfare in a new era of technology,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). “The HADES aircraft has the tools needed to deter threats, conduct surveillance and help keep our country safe. This is the start of a new chapter in the aviation capabilities of our military and continues Kansas’ legacy of defense manufacturing.”

Fixed-wing platforms like Bombardier’s Global 6500aircraft, which flies faster, longer, and higher than legacy airborne sensor platforms, offer a significant advantage toward enhancing performance of aerial ISR missions. The Global 6500 provides several advantages for military entities, such as reliability, operational reach, and expanded operating areas. With a maximum endurance of up to 18 hours, and up to 750 flight hours between maintenance intervals, and part of the Global family that has an impressive 99.83% dispatch reliability, the Global 6500 aircraft is an ideal choice to accomplish operational objectives such as deep sensing.

Bombardier Defense has dedicated in-house engineering and support teams available 24/7 worldwide with the ability to incorporate modifications tailored to the customer’s need with complete certification capabilities across the full spectrum of civilian, military and hybrid operations. Bombardier brings decades of experience working with special mission operators and renowned mission systems integrators to adapt its proven platform for critical operations worldwide.

Posted in Army, Aviation, Contracts, ISR, Press Release | No Comments »

Gentex Corporation Awarded Navy OTA for Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet Program

Wednesday, November 27th, 2024

CARBONDALE, PA, November 26th, 2024 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, aircrew, emergency responders and industrial personnel, has been awarded an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) by the U.S. Navy to develop the Navy’s Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH) program. This further signifies Gentex’s commitment to providing cutting-edge protection for military aircrew and marks an important step forward in Naval Aviation safety and innovation.

Through this OTA, the NGFWH will complete qualification and achieve airworthiness and production readiness qualifications for use on Navy fixed wing aircraft including the E-2D, F/A-18, EA-18G, T-45 and T-6. Designed to meet the evolving mission requirements of Naval Aviation, the NGFWH is set to become the Navy’s standard helmet for its fixed-wing, tactical aviators.

The NGFWH will deliver a more advanced and adaptable helmet system and will provide a platform for future upgrades, ensuring the system evolves with the needs of Navy aircrew. Key System Attributes (KSAs) for the NGFWH include improved mass properties such as reduced weight, optimized center of gravity and balanced principal moments of inertia.

“Gentex Corporation is honored to be awarded a Navy OTA for the Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet program. This partnership reflects our continued commitment to delivering cutting-edge protection and performance for those who serve, and we are dedicated to supporting the Navy’s mission with the highest standards of performance and safety,” said Rob Stimis, Fixed Wing Segment Director at Gentex Corporation.

This program will span approximately 18 months, culminating in a helmet system that represents the next generation of fixed-wing pilot safety and mission capability. Operational fielding of the NGFWH is anticipated to begin in late 2025.

Posted in Advertiser, Aviation, Contracts, Helmets, Navy, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Red Cat Announces Production Selection for U.S. Army Short Range Reconnaissance Program

Thursday, November 21st, 2024

Red Cat’s next generation Teal system will be the Army’s Program of Record SRR sUAS, concluding the rigorous, multi-tranche competitive process

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Nov. 19, 2024 — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat”), a leading American drone technology company, has been selected as the winner of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record. The production selection was made after a test and evaluation process of Teal’s next generation sUAS, completed by the Army Project Management Office for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Army Maneuver Battle Lab, Army Test and Evaluation Command, and Army Operational Test Center.

“This is a powerful moment in time, coming after five years of blood, sweat, and tears put into SRR by our incredible team. The long-awaited production selection marks a new era for our company and the future of American drones,” said George Matus, founder of Teal and CTO of Red Cat. “We were selected based on soldier feedback, technical performance, volume manufacturability, and system cost. Our top priority now is to start ramping production of the next generation system, recently announced as the Black Widow and WEB, and give warfighters the tools they need to be successful on the modern battlefield.”

“Warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two years, with a significant shift towards drone technology, exemplified by the SRR Black Widow. It is an honor to support the U.S. Army by delivering the Black Widow to our warfighters. We believe this advanced technology will enable the Army to shape the battlefield, save soldiers’ lives, and serve as a powerful tool in their arsenal,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. “This long-term contract will give us the capability to continue to improve the Black Widow, scale production and improve margins.”

“Both the operational and tactical levels of war and maneuver of combat elements have evolved significantly over the past couple of years,” said Paul Edward Funk II, retired Four-Star Army General and Red Cat board member. “Operational success today depends on the ability to seamlessly move data across the battlefield. From a tactical perspective, small unmanned aerial systems that are rucksack portable are playing a vital role in Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance, as well as surgical strike capabilities based on the real-time needs of the warfighter.”

The SRR contract selection builds on significant momentum for Red Cat, with the acquisition of FlightWave Aerospace, the announcement of the ARACHNID™ family of systems, and the creation of the Red Cat Futures Initiative. The company is focused on ramping production of Teal’s next generation system to meet the Army’s currently stated acquisition objective for 5,880 systems, which is subject to change over the 5 year period of performance. Red Cat is also preparing to meet increased demand across the rest of the U.S. DoD, federal government, and allied countries, to support operators and warfighters globally.

For more information about Red Cat and the U.S. Army’s Short-Range Reconnaissance Program of Record, please visit www.redcat.red.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release, UAS | 2 Comments »

ISTEC Delivers First Batch of Weapon Integration Mounts for the New USAF Grey Wolf Helicopter

Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

ISTEC Services Limited, the British company with 35 years of operationally proven experience in the design, manufacture and supply of complex weapon integration solutions for military platforms, is delivering the first production shipsets (a shipset is a left and right gun mount pair) for the new United States Air Force (USAF) Grey Wolf Helicopter. The USAF Grey Wolf helicopter is a Boeing led programme for the replacement of the famous, but aging, UH-1N Huey helicopter and is built on a Leonardo MH-139A platform. ISTEC has recently delivered the first shipsets to Leonardo and the USAF took delivery of the first low-rate production Grey Wolf helicopter in August 2024.

The Grey Wolf offers significant improvements in terms of speed, range, and payload capacity compared to the Huey. It also features modern avionics, defensive systems, and a more robust airframe, making it suitable for a wide range of missions. The ISTEC weapons mount contract was originally awarded in 2018 and following prototype design and customer testing, to ensure the maximum arcs, ease of use and air safety compliance, final design approval was granted in 2020. Full production started in 2023, and following the delivery of the first shipsets, the remainder of the contract will be aligned with the wider programme delivery schedule.

ISTEC has extensive experience in providing weapons integration solutions for the Land, Sea and Air domains. However, there were many additional elements to the Grey Wolf project such as an external mounting frame that required significant additional design input from the ISTEC team. All the Grey Wolf components are manufactured with a ‘cradle to grave’ traceability process to ensure all raw materials sourced are to aerospace release, with full audit back to the mill, regular composition testing to ensure material alloying elements are above specification and thereby ensuring that the gun mounts meet the rigorous manufacturing standards required to be classed as airworthy and type certified.

Mick Coulson, Manager Director at ISTEC said, “This has been a significant project for ISTEC, supporting a major helicopter replacement programme for the USAF, that we have been privileged to have been involved with from the very start. ISTEC is well known for our universal gun mount systems, especially on vehicles and ships, but I am extremely proud of the design and engineering expertise that has gone into producing this aviation specific system for the Grey Wolf, clearly demonstrating the universal benefits of using our weapon integration systems across all domains.”

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | 5 Comments »

OKSI Awarded U.S. Army Contract on their 3rd Generation FLIR Software Technology for Enhanced Thermal Night Vision Sensors

Monday, November 18th, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2024 — OKSI has been awarded a $2 million follow-on contract from the U.S. Army to continue developing their scene-based Variable Aperture Mechanism for Non-Uniformity Correction (VAM-NUC) system for integration to the 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (3GEN FLIR) program. 3GEN FLIR is an advanced targeting sensor system produced by Raytheon Technologies to enhance lethality, survivability and situational awareness under the cloak of darkness. The system provides overmatch for the Army’s ground combat platforms with notable applications like the M1 Abrams Tank and the MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS.

3GEN FLIR will replace 2GEN FLIR components, starting with those in the Abrams Tank (Image: PFC Matthew Wantroba/US Army)The 3GEN FLIR provides high-definition Mid-Wave and Long-Wave Infrared (MWIR/LWIR) imagery at further distances than ever before. It can penetrate harsh environmental conditions like darkness, smoke, rain, snow and fog. Additional performance enhancements include improvements in bad-pixel-clusters, dark current, noise, quantum efficiency, operability, spectral crosstalk, modulation transfer function and Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) stability, which OKSI aims to further enhance.

One of the major issues the Army faces is the significant gain and offset drift of the sensor. OKSI has developed a novel scene-based NUC solution that runs in the background and in real-time, minimizing impact on situational awareness. By leveraging hardware capabilities of the 3GEN FLIR, the software automatically performs gain and offset corrections that are invisible to the operator, as opposed to traditional, flag-based methods. OKSI’s novel technology leverages a combination of the VAM present in 3GEN FLIR systems, and techniques developed by the Army to use the VAM, along with proprietary state-of-the-art scene-based gain/offset correction algorithms.

“OKSI has a proud legacy of advancing imaging technologies, that includes pioneering our Variable Aperture Mechanism (VAM), that has been instrumental in enhancing third-generation FLIR systems,” says Chris HolmesParker, CEO, OKSI. “Today, we’re thrilled to build on this foundation by delivering cutting-edge capabilities that elevate image clarity and situational awareness, empowering our warfighters with the tools they need to operate effectively and decisively on the battlefield.”

OKSI is a privately held small business headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Learn more at www.oksi.ai.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/oksi-ai

Posted in Advertiser, AI / ML, Contracts, Optics, Press Release | No Comments »