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German Armed Forces Call Off Another 30,000 Intercom Sets with Hearing Protection Function from Rheinmetall

Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

The German Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply a second batch of the intercom with hearing protection function – SMG (Sprechsatz mit Gehörschutzfunktion) for short. The troops are to receive a further 30,000 sets, divided into 8,000 command SMGs and 22,000 soldier SMGs. Delivery is scheduled to begin in mid-2025 and be completed by the end of 2025. The order is worth around €55 million net. An initial call-off for the delivery of 30,000 sets was already issued in April 2024. Both delivery batches will be financed from the special fund.

In April 2024 Rheinmetall has been been commissioned by the Bundeswehr to supply up to 191,000 sets of the “intercom with hearing protection function”. The framework contract has a seven-year term and a potential order volume of up to €400 million net. The SMG is a key project for tactical communications which is of cross-sectional importance for the entire force.

The intercom with hearing protection function includes modern active capsule ear protection that attenuates harmful impulse noise and amplifies quiet sounds. It also has a microphone and can be connected to various radio devices so that radio communication is possible. In addition to the combined headset, the scope of supply includes various push-to-talk (PTT) buttons and different cable sets for connecting to a range of radios and on-board communication systems. Rheinmetall has involved two leading manufacturers as subcontractors for the project: 3M Deutschland GmbH with the ComTac VIII headset and CeoTronics AG with CT-Multi PTT 1C and 3C. The SmG is compatible with the Rheinmetall-supplied new combat helmet as well as with other Bundeswehr helmet types.

This order of the second batch underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role in the field of military equipment. The technology company is the prime contractor for the System Infantry Soldier of the Future – Expanded System to the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall markets various configurations of its Gladius soldier system internationally.

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Gentex Corporation Announces Start of Production of Second Generation Advanced Combat Helmet Generation (ACH Gen ll) for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

Wednesday, September 4th, 2024

CARBONDALE, PA – Gentex Corporation, the global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, has received production authorization from the Defense Logistics Agency for ACH Gen II. The Government will start receiving deliveries in the coming months.

Gentex’s state-of-the-art Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) design offers soldiers a helmet that is, on average, over 28% lighter than the legacy aramid Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), while still providing the same level of ballistic protection. The ACH Gen II also has an innovative boltless retention design that allows the chin strap to be interchangeable with the Next Generation – Integrated Head Protection System (NG-IHPS) chinstrap.

Gentex is proud to continue its long legacy as a supplier to DLA and as a supplier of Advanced Combat Helmets to the US Government.

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

USSOCOM Selects Envision Technology to Supply Miniature Aiming Ranging Lasers

Monday, September 2nd, 2024

On Friday evening, USSOCOM made the following announcement for their Miniature Aiming Ranging Laser program:

Envision Technology, Manchester, New Hampshire, is being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H9240324D0012) with a maximum ceiling of $81,000,000 and a minimum ordering guarantee of $5,000 for range aiming laser systems, spares, engineering change proposals, repairs and new equipment training. This contract will be funded with the appropriate procurement; research, development, test and evaluation; and operations and maintenance funds. Fiscal 2022, 2023 and 2024 procurement funds in the amount of $7,545,230 are being obligated at time of award on the first delivery order. The work will be performed in Manchester, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 29, 2029. U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

According to the requirement, The Miniature Aiming Ranging Laser (MARL) increases the Advanced Target Pointer/Illuminator Aiming Laser (ATPIAL/SAL) capability by adding a range finder function for the Assault Rifle or Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) and Light Machine Gun (LMG) for 0-900 meter system accuracy. Weapons mounted range finders are commercially available for interim capability but require further development andintegration with visual augmentation systems (VAS) to achieve MAS-L objectives.

Envision offered the Miniature Advanced Rangefinder System (MARS). The contract is for Range Aiming Laser (RAL) systems, spares, Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), repairs and New Equipment training (NET) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOF AT&L). The work will be performed in Manchester, NH and is expected to be completed by 29 August 2029. This contract was awarded through a competitive SBIR Phase III. Envision Technology is a small business.

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U.S. Army Selects Saab’s AT4 Solution for Individual Assault Munition Program

Friday, August 30th, 2024

The U.S. Army has awarded Saab an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, which allows the U.S. Army to place orders for up to $494M over five years for the XM919 Individual Assault Munition (IAM) program. Saab’s solution is the AT4CS TW (Confined Space Tandem Warhead).

Order values will be established individually when an order is placed under the IDIQ contract.

Saab’s new addition to the battle-tested AT4 family combines the capability of multiple existing shoulder-launched munitions while reducing soldier load, training complexity and logistics burden.

“At Saab, we continually adapt and improve our products to meet customer needs and protect the warfighter. Our new IAM solution enhances capabilities, removes combat burdens and is uniquely created to meet the U.S. customer’s needs,” said Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the U.S. “Saab has leveraged a successful, combat-proven system to make it even more effective, ultimately ensuring our solution is the best fit for the end-user.”

The AT4 is a battle-tested, successful anti-armor weapon with more than one million systems produced for 15 countries around the world. Lightweight, man-portable, and fully disposable, the AT4 has been the U.S. Army’s squad weapon since 1985. Saab has delivered more than 700,000 AT4 systems to the United States.

Editor’s note: As an addendum to this press release from Saab, I’d like to remind readers of the XM919 program which I mentioned during last year’s NDIA Future Forces Capability conference in Huntsville.

The XM919 IAM tactical munition is a disposable, lightweight, single shot, multi-target, and Fire from Enclosure (FFE) capable Shoulder Launched Munition (SLM) envisioned for use at the Squad level. It replaces the M72 LAW, M136 and M136A1 AT-4 anti-tank weapons, and M141 Bunker Defeat Munition.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Munitions, Press Release | Comments Off on U.S. Army Selects Saab’s AT4 Solution for Individual Assault Munition Program

Nordic Combat Uniform 2.0 Solicitation Is On The Street

Friday, August 30th, 2024

The tender for the update to the Nordic Combat Uniform (NCU 2.0) has been published. Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are in, and Finland is out.

This tender is a joint procurement of the Nordic Combat Uniform (NCU) system between the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (the Purchaser), the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA).

The NCU system consists of soldier clothing beginning at the next to skin level and ends at the outermost area providing a shell cover. The different elements in conjunction with other or by themselves are designed to contribute to the soldiers’ ability to withstand the demands, threats and hazards in order to solve the tasks at hand. The NCU system consists of various items enabling the soldier to perform and survive in combat missions.

The aim of the NCU system is to provide the soldier with protection against threats to the soldier in his/her operating environments. The NCU system is meant to supplement the existing combat uniform system, including outer, mid and inner layers under the concept ‘more of the same’. The combat uniform system is for any gender soldier within any military service. The NCU system is for use in all geographical areas where the three nations are or could be engaged in military operations.

The inner and mid layers are configured in knitting material made of wool and compositions of wool. It is anticipated to be demanded as an example in the range of 500.000 to 1.000.000 pcs. yearly.

The outer layers including combat, insulation and rain layers are likewise anticipated to be demanded as an example in the range of 400.000 – 800.000 pcs. yearly.

The notice is here.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, International | 2 Comments »

Leonardo DRS Awarded $117M Production Order for Family of Weapon Sights

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today that it has received an order for continued production of its next-generation thermal weapon sights for the U.S. Army. The production order for $117 million was made under the current Family of Weapon Sights – Individual (FWS-I) IDIQ contract.

Leveraging DRS’s uncooled thermal imaging technology, FWS-I is a stand-alone, clip-on weapon sight that connects wirelessly to helmet-mounted vision systems including the enhanced night vision goggle binoculars and the next-gen integrated visual augmentation system and provides rapid target acquisition capabilities to the soldier. It gives users the ability to acquire targets day or night and in a range of degraded environmental conditions, providing strategic and tactical advantages on the battlefield.

“This cutting-edge technology ensures soldiers will have the most advanced weapon sight systems on the battlefield today,” said Jerry Hathaway, senior vice president and general manager of DRS’s Electro-Optical Infrared Systems business. “We are proud the U.S. Army recognizes us as a trusted partner to continue to deliver this vital technology to our warfighters.”

In addition to FWS-I, Leonardo DRS has an extensive installed base of electro-optical and infrared technology across the U.S. military. Advanced sensing capability is a key strategic focus for the company providing world-leading sensing and laser technologies for a range of aircraft protection and mounted and unmounted sensors supporting the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.

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AeroVironment Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

AV selected to deliver Switchblade systems for the U.S. Army’s lethal unmanned systems requirement

ARLINGTON, Va.–AeroVironment (AV) has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement (DR) for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The 5-year contract from Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground is Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a contract ceiling value of $990M. Deliveries of the Switchblade® systems are expected to begin in months.

The LUS Directed Requirement is the Army’s first effort to equip soldiers in infantry battalions with lethal, man-portable loitering munition systems. The combat-proven Switchblade systems will enhance soldiers’ capabilities with precision flight control, greater lethality against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks, and the ability to track and engage moving non-line-of-sight targets. AV was awarded a contract for the LUS Directed Requirement in December 2023 and is currently delivering systems under that contract.

“AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. “This latest contract underscores the unmatched maturity and effectiveness of our system, as well as AV’s strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these cutting-edge solutions to operators in the field.”

Switchblade represents the next generation of extended-range loitering munition systems, providing operators in the field with a multi-mission loitering munition system capable of multi-domain operations. The combat-proven system also features high-precision optics and extended loitering endurance.

“Starting with the LUS Directed Requirement, we are well positioned to meet the Army’s emerging needs, leveraging our robust production capability and supply chain capacity to ensure rapid fielding and enhanced combat overmatch for our soldiers,” continued Hush.

This contract further solidifies AV’s role as a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions. The company remains committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s mission by delivering advanced technology that ensures operational superiority and enhances the safety and effectiveness of our military personnel.

For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Munitions, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on AeroVironment Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions

German Bundeswehr Selects Heckler & Koch MR308A6 as G210 Sniper Rifle

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

Heckler & Koch supplies the Bundeswehr with the new semi-automatic sniper rifle G210

CEO Dr.-Ing. Jens Bodo Koch at the contract signing with Arno Trebbin (BaAINBw) and Sales Director Marco Geißinger.

The Bundeswehr has once again opted for a rifle from Heckler & Koch. The traditional handgun manufacturer from Oberndorf am Neckar prevailed in the award procedure for the G210 with the model MR308A6. The G210 is a short-range sniper weapon in the proven caliber 7.62 mm x 51. The delivery of up to 500 copies of the G210 for the special forces of the Bundeswehr is scheduled for the year 2025.

The MR308A6 was developed by Heckler & Koch specifically for this tender and presented to the public at the EnforceTac trade fair in February this year. The weapon also introduces a precision cartridge in caliber 7.62 mm x 51. The semi-automatic gas pressure loader has a weight of around 4.4 kg (without magazine) and offers significantly more operating comfort by moving the loading option to the side of the weapon.

Dr.-Ing. Jens Bodo Koch, CEO of Heckler & Koch, and Sales Director Marco Geißinger were pleased with the order on the sidelines of the signing of the contract: “We at Heckler & Koch are proud to be suppliers of the special forces of the Bundeswehr. The spearhead of the Bundeswehr deserves the best weapons in the world. That’s what Heckler & Koch stands for. After the delivery of the HK437 .300BLK as G39 SD was commissioned only a few months ago, the next product innovation from our company follows with the MR308A6 as G210.”

This is a translation of the German press release.

Posted in Contracts, International, weapons | 2 Comments »