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Persistent Systems Awarded $5.1 Million Contract to Supply MPU5 Radios to Air Mobility Command

Thursday, February 8th, 2024

Networking solutions to support Air Mobility Command’s Contingency Response Groups

Persistent Systems (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), announced today that it was awarded a $5.1 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to supply its Air Mobility Command with more than 280 MPU5 handheld MANET radios and 10 integrated sector antennas.

The MANET technology will enable the Air Mobility Command ‘s 621st and 821st Contingency Response Groups to quickly react to international situations that, in line with the service’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, require the U.S. Air Force to set up foreign airstrips, amass fuel and other resources, and coordinate aircraft landings with host countries.

“Our MPU5s deliver robust, secure, broadband line-of-sight and beyond-line-sight communications,” said Adrien Robenhymer, Persistent’s VP of Business Development for Air Force and Intelligence Community Programs, “and they do so without Air Force personnel having to rely on third-party infrastructure, which is key in a contested environment.”

The Air Mobility Command personnel currently employ old, walkie-talkie radios that cannot share video and still imagery or use geospatial awareness programs like ATAK. These limitations mean that “first-in” Contingency Response Groups operate in a slower, more plodding fashion when trying to set up runways. Likewise, relying on only audio can lead to planning errors.

The MPU5 radio runs the robust, self-forming, self-healing Wave Relay® MANET. With this adaptable, high-throughput network, users with MPU5s can seamlessly share voice, video, text, GPS and sensor data in a true peer-to-peer fashion. The radio also has a Cloud Relay™ capability which connects the line-of-sight MANET to beyond-line-of-sight LTE and SATCOM.

Working in conjunction with the MPU5s, the easy-to-erect Integrated Sector Antennas extend the Wave Relay® MANET over a massive geographic area.

“Persistent’s MANET products extend the enterprise to the tactical edge and allow full situational awareness even in austere environments,” Robenhymer said. “Beyond AMC and ACE, we see this technology have strong applications for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2, concept.”

Persistent Systems plans to deliver a full complement of MPU5 MANET radios and Integrated Sector Antennas to the Air Force in January.

Posted in Air Force, Comms, Contracts, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Saab Receives Order for AT4 from NATO Support and Procurement Agency

Wednesday, February 7th, 2024

Saab has received an order for the anti-armour weapon AT4 from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The order value is approximately EUR 63 million (approximately SEK 700 million) and deliveries will take place 2026-2027. The order was booked in Q4 2023.

“Our AT4 stands out on the market as a highly sought-after and effective support weapon. We are honoured that the NSPA has trusted our products once again, and they can feel confident that they have a leading single-shot weapon that is robust and reliable,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

The AT4 series comprises a selection of easily manoeuvrable, lightweight, and disposable weapons designed for straightforward operation by a single soldier. Capable of countering tanks, heavy combat vehicles, and threats within structures and fortifications, the AT4 also serves to safeguard fixed installations, supply points, and other critical assets. Read more about AT4: www.saab.com/products/at4.

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Gentex Corporation Announces Agreement to Supply Helmets and Headborne System Accessories to New Zealand Defence Force

Tuesday, February 6th, 2024

CARBONDALE, PA, February 6th, 2024– Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, announced today, that it has agreed to supply Ops-Core FAST Ballistic headborne systems, accessories and supporting spare parts to the New Zealand Defence Force in a multi-year program.

Through our Australian and New Zealand distribution partner Spearpoint Solutions & Technology Pty Ltd, Gentex Corporation will supply the FAST SF Helmet System, AMP Communications System and associated accessories and spare parts to the New Zealand Defence Force Soldier Personal Protective Equipment Program, primed by Australian Defence Apparel – New Zealand.

“The decision by the New Zealand Defence Force demonstrates the superior performance of the Ops-Core range of headborne systems and reinforces the commitment of the New Zealand Defence Force to equip its personnel with the utmost in integrated helmet systems” said Tom Short, Vice President of Sales for Gentex. “Through Spearpoint Solutions & Technology, our partner in Australia and New Zealand, the agreement to supply New Zealand’s front-line troops will ensure they are well equipped for all current and future operations.”

Andrew Jiear, CEO of Spearpoint, said “Spearpoint is pleased to be working with our established partners to deliver world-class solutions from Gentex, to New Zealand’s Soldier Protective Equipment Program through Australian Defence Apparel – New Zealand. This is a comprehensive solution that we are actively seeking to replicate for other militaries in the Region going forward.”

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Helmets, International, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Bundeswehr Awards Rheinmetall Contracts for Production and Supply of 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher Ammunition – Order Worth Around €30 million

Monday, February 5th, 2024

The German Bundeswehr has placed two separate orders with Rheinmetall for production and supply of 40mm ammunition for automatic grenade launchers. Rheinmetall will thus be supplying tens of thousands of programmable 40mm x 53 Airburst Munition (ABM) DM131 service cartridges. This order is worth around €29.5 million, including value added tax. The Bundeswehr has also placed an order for around 200,000 rounds of 40mm x 53 Üb DM158 practice ammunition, worth around €7.18 million, once again including VAT. Delivery of the ammunition is to be complete in 2024.

A one-stop shop for 40mm systems, Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading suppliers of ammunition, weapon systems and fire control and aiming technology. Rheinmetall’s 40mm x 53 high-velocity ammunition can be fired from any standard 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The rounds attain a maximum velocity of more than 240 m/s and have a maximum effective range of 2,200 metres. The Group’s wide assortment of cartridges in this segment includes the just-ordered programmable 40mm x 53 ABM. Because the rounds can be timed to detonate in the air, it is possible to engage troops taking cover behind walls, etc. The 40mm x 53 ABM, which the Bundeswehr refers to as the DM131, is qualified for use by the German armed forces. Other NATO armed forces have this advanced munition in their inventories as well.

Developed and qualified in accordance with the latest standards, the ammunition types now on order are unequalled worldwide in terms of combat effectiveness and precision. Moreover, the design status of the two cartridges fully corresponds to the stipulations contained in the European directive covering the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

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Major Order for Rheinmetall – International Partner Orders Additional Kits for Fuchs 2 Production

Friday, February 2nd, 2024

An international partner has awarded Rheinmetall an order to supply Fuchs 2 components for producing the wheeled armoured vehicle at a factory in the partner country. The current follow up orders also include kits for conversion and the supply of spare part packages. Booked in December 2023, the order is worth a figure in the three-digit million-euro range. Delivery of the kits — both for production and conversion — starts this year and will be complete in 2028.

The production facility in the partner country has seen an increase in added value in recent years as well as investments to ensure high-quality machining, welding and surface treatment. This long-standing strategic partnership is thus entering a new, promising phase, including the potential export of Fuchs 2 vehicles produced in the partner country.

The Fuchs success story continues with this large-volume order. As a versatile 6×6 wheeled armoured vehicle, it has been in service with the Bundeswehr as for almost half a century.
Around 1,800 Fuchs vehicles have been built to date. The armed forces of many nations deploy various versions of the vehicle, which can be used as an armoured personnel carrier, mobile command post, field ambulance or for NBC reconnaissance. The German Bundeswehr has fielded multiple versions of the Fuchs 1 since 1979, deploying over a hundred of these vehicles in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Fuchs 2 is an advanced version of the Fuchs 1, featuring a larger interior, a more powerful engine, an updated chassis, improved modern protection, and a digital electrical system.

The Bundeswehr has a total of around 940 Fuchs vehicles in its inventory, 272 of which are version 1A8. This version of the Fuchs 1 offers substantially better protection against mines and improvised explosive devices compared to earlier models; it also features enhanced protection against ballistic threats. Among the principal modifications found in the Fuchs 1A8 are structural changes to the hull, new seats and seat suspension systems in the fighting compartment for decoupling from the floor of the hull, reinforced wheel housings, doors and window mountings, additional storage boxes and reinforcement of the vehicle exterior.

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Marine Corps Selects Prototyping Participants for Medium Tactical Truck Development Program

Friday, February 2nd, 2024

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — The Marine Corps has selected Mack Defense and Navistar Defense to participate in Phase I for the development of the Medium Tactical Truck (MTT) program. This pivotal phase, spanning an estimated 12 months, will see the performers leveraging the Corps’ top-level requirements to submit innovative design concepts and comprehensive project plan for Phase II (prototype build phase).

The Medium Tactical Truck is slated to replace the existing Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) fleet, including Cargo, Dump, Wrecker, Tractor, and Re-Supply Variants. The focus of the competitive prototype phase will be on the Cargo variant.

Key top-level requirements for the Medium Tactical Truck include:

Cargo Variants: The MTT Cargo variants consist of three configurations:

a 10 ft Cargo bed

b 15 ft Cargo bed

c 20 ft Cargo bed

Hybrid Electric Technologies: Integration of hybrid electric technologies for reduced fuel consumption, extended range, and a silent watch capability.

Onboard and Export Power: 10 kW on-board power generation to support all mission packages and scalable exportable power up to 30 kW to meet external system power demands.

Mobility: Continued robust all terrain mobility with a 70% off-road and 30% on-road mission profile, with a unique 60” water fording capability specific to the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

Safety and Stability: Advancements in safety and stability control systems, increased interoperability, and heightened mission flexibility through modularity and open systems architecture.

Armor System: Modular and scalable armor system that allows for the change/upgrade of force protection and survivability levels, considering ease of installation and maintenance.

Maintenance and Reliability: Advancements in condition-based maintenance systems, increased reliability, durability, and corrosion prevention.

The Marine Corps looks forward to collaborating with Mack Defense and Navistar Defense in this crucial development phase, working toward the common goal of delivering a Medium Tactical Truck that meets the diverse and challenging needs of Marine Corps missions.

Marine Corps Systems Command

USMC Photo by Sgt Christian M Garcia

Posted in Contracts, Guest Post, Mobility, USMC | 1 Comment »

Allen-Vanguard Awarded Contract to Supply SCORPION ECM Systems to a NATO Ally

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is delighted to announce that it has won a significant contract to supply 68 SCORPION Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems, accessories and spares to a NATO ally. The Allen-Vanguard team will be at the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia at stand E38 to discuss all their products.

In addition to the hardware, Allen-Vanguard will also provide various support services, including a Train the Trainer (T3) package, to ensure that end users are fully equipped, trained, and prepared to deploy this vital life-saving capability as needed with full operational autonomy. In line with Allen- Vanguard’s philosophy of developing a full sovereign capability for their clients, the T3 package will ensure that the end user can train and evaluate their own personnel on the SCORPION hardware now and into the future.

Allen-Vanguard is also contracted to support in-country with staged technical support visits, spread out over several years. These visits are to help maintain the hardware and update the software to maximise the protection provided and further develop the technical capabilities of the customer.

The initial operating capability for evaluation and training will be delivered in a matter of weeks with further deliverables later in the year.

With now well over 500 sales globally, SCORPION is deployed protecting troops, NGOs and other government agencies in every continent worldwide. It has a flexible, modular architecture with a wide range of power options, antenna configurations and carriage systems which make it is suitable for a myriad of protection tasks. It delivers a hybrid, full spectrum system with extensive threat band coverage giving it superior usability which, combined with advanced technologies, makes SCORPION the most powerful response to present and future RCIED & Drone threats.

Allen-Vanguard’s Business Development Director, Stuart Wilson, said “I am proud that Allen-Vanguard is supporting a key NATO ally with our life-saving SCORPION system. This equipment and the associated support services will ensure that the customer is fully equipped with the best possible capability to address the threats they may face both domestically and abroad. We look forward to working in partnership with the end users into the future to address their needs as they continue to grow and develop this strategic capability.”

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Starting gun sounds for Germany’s advanced short- and very short-range air defence system – development contract awarded

Friday, January 26th, 2024

Germany’s military procurement agency, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), signed a development contract today with the Short- and Very Short-Range Air Defence System Consortium (ARGE NNbS) for the “Air Defence System, Short- and Very Short-Range”, or LVS NNbS. Set up in 2021, ARGE NNbS has three member companies: Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH of Bremen, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG of Überlingen, and Hensoldt Sensors GmbH of Taufkirchen. The contract is worth around €1.2 billion (including VAT), with Rheinmetall accounting for €607 million, Diehl for €339 million, and Hensoldt for €284 million, reflecting their respective workshares.

Making sure that Germany lives up to its role as NATO’s lead nation in ground-based air defence and the European Sky Shield Initiative, the introduction of the LVS NNbS is a decisive step, closing one of the Bundeswehr’s significant capability gaps.

The core objective of the LVS NNbS development project is to optimize medium-range air defence as well as developing high-mobility air defence capabilities for protecting manoeuvre forces from aerial threats – even when on the move.
Key objectives include achieving the necessary networking of individual components; integration of the medium-range IRIS T-SLM guided missile; assuring interoperability; and extending the intercept zone to include short-range threats.

Networking will enable connection to the IRIS T-SLM fire units currently under procurement as well as to the Skyranger 30 ground-based mobile air defence system, to be procured in future.
The project is in the hands of the German defence industry; ARGE NNbS is the German government’s contract partner.

By bundling complementary core capabilities – including those of other German defence contractors – ARGE NNbS brings together the foundational knowledge, capabilities and expertise needed to meet the requirements. In the process, key technologies will stay in Germany, where they will be preserved and perfected.

Rheinmetall and its Electronic Solutions and Vehicle Solutions divisions bring technological know-how and longstanding experience in the development and delivery of defence systems, especially in combat vehicles, communications and systems integration.

Diehl Defence specializes in developing and fabricating guided missiles. Thanks to its advanced system solutions for ground-based air defence, it is established force in the international market.

A supplier of key national technologies, Hensoldt brings to the working group its expertise and tried-and tested products such as radar systems. These products feature comprehensive commonalities based in part on product family concepts, primarily in airspace surveillance, classification and identification.

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