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U.S. Air Force’s $46 Billion Elon Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) Selects Persistent Systems

Tuesday, April 9th, 2024

EWAAC will provide contract vehicle for Air Force commands seeking mobile ad hoc networking solutions.

Persistent Systems (“Persistent”), a leader in mobile ad hoc networking (MANET), announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to participate in the multi-vendor Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC), a $46 billion Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) rapid acquisition vehicle for the development of novel weapons capabilities.

Participating in EWAAC enables Persistent Systems to better support networked autonomy efforts with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as well as provide other Air Force customers, such as Global Strike Command and Air Combat Command, with a ready-to-use contract vehicle.

“We are very excited to be selected by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center to participate in the Armament Directorate’s EWAAC,” said Cody Larson, director of Business Development at Persistent Systems. “EWAAC will help us with our networked weapons development efforts, the goal of which is to develop air-launched, swarming weapons that share information for increased survivability and lethality.”

EWAAC places an emphasis on digital engineering, agile software, and open systems architecture. Meeting those goals, Persistent’s Wave Relay® MANET is data-agnostic and capable of passing any digital data, allowing it to adapt to ever-changing, open-architecture weapons systems.

“This further deepens the relationship between Persistent and the U.S. Air Force to support emerging concepts like JADC2 and other programs,” said Adrien Robenhymer, VP of Business Development for the Air Force and Intelligence Community, at Persistent Systems.

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

Rheinmetall to Supply Japan with its First Fleet of Autonomous Vehicles

Monday, April 8th, 2024

Rheinmetall paves the way for autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) in Japan after being awarded a multimillion-dollar contract on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Defence.
The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP UGVs are expected to be delivered early next year for testing. These compact, low-signature electric UGVs will each be equipped with different payload modules, including cargo, surveillance and a remote-controlled weapon station. The contract also includes a long-term support and training program, as well as spare parts.

Rheinmetall will deliver the UGVs in collaboration with the prime contractor Marubeni Aerospace, a major Japanese business conglomerate that will be trained by Rheinmetall to offer local support to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Rheinmetall Mission Master SP

The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP is a fully electric, compact UGV that is designed to autonomously carry out missions such as forward and last mile resupply missions, silent watch operations, and carriages of light payloads, including section sensors and weapon systems. The vehicle can be towed or deployed by parachute to carry out missions in hard-to-reach terrain, and fitted with tracks to enhance mobility in deep snow and mud—an ideal feature for countries with extreme climates like Japan.

The Mission Master SP was the first UGV to be developed by Rheinmetall Canada in 2017 and has since been deployed during multiple live military exercises by land forces, including the German, USA, Royal Dutch, and Polish armies. Various NATO partners, such as the UK and the USA have also acquired this UGV.

Autonomous solutions for the modern battlefield

Like other platforms in the Rheinmetall Mission Master family, the SP vehicle is driven by Rheinmetall PATH: an AI-powered navigation system that can be installed on any vehicle. This agnostic suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms enables the Mission Master vehicles to navigate autonomously through challenging environments.

“As international tensions continue to rise, more and more countries are seeking autonomous solutions to maintain a competitive advantage and prepare for the modern battlefield. Our Mission Master vehicles equipped with our PATH A-kit have performed well in numerous international trials in recent years. These experiences have allowed us to refine our technology and become an internationally renowned centre of excellence for UGVs” recounts Pietro Mazzei, President and CEO at Rheinmetall Canada.

To find out more about the Rheinmetall Mission Master family of UGVs, visit rheinmetall.com

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The Netherlands To Upgrade Their MQ-9A Capabilities

Sunday, April 7th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 26 March 2024 – The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is working withGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to make important upgrades to their growing fleet of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The RNLAF announced in 2023 that they will double their number of MQ-9A Reapers from four to eight and now are making upgrades to their aircraft to include capabilities such as maritime radars, a communications relay, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures (ESM), and weapons. The upgrades will take place incrementally over the next three years.

“The RNLAF is using the MQ-9A for an increasing set of NATO missions,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, commander of the RNLAF’s 306 Squadron. “With these upgrades, we will support NATO’s ISR and maritime surveillance missions throughout Europe.”

GA-ASI will integrate the new payloads for the RNLAF, including a maritime radar currently operating in other areas of the world, ESM, weapons, and a communications relay that is purpose-built to connect all services of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

“We’re excited to continue upgrading and increasing the mission capabilities of the RNLAF’s fleet of Reapers,” said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. “One of the key aspects of our aircraft is the modularity of our platforms allowing them to rapidly meet the full spectrum of customer requirements.”

The MQ-9A Block 5 has a 3,850-pound (1,746-kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. It provides a long-endurance, surveillance capability with full-motion video, Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar, and ESM. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

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Strong Partner of the Spanish Army: Rheinmetall Supplies Over 100,000 Mortar Rounds

Friday, April 5th, 2024

Rheinmetall has received another order from the Spanish government in the higher double-digit million euro range. The Group is to supply the Spanish army with a total of 104,000 mortar rounds in 60mm, 81mm and 120mm calibres by the end of 2025. The framework agreement concluded in the first quarter of 2024 is already the second and includes an extension option for two additional years.

The mortar rounds ordered will be used by the Spanish army’s infantry units, among others, in high explosive, smoke and illumination ammunition variants. Depending on the calibre and mortar system used, they have different ranges of between 2.59 km (60mm) and 8.25 km (120mm).
Rheinmetall mortar ammunition offers increased range, enhanced precision and optimised effectiveness on target, enabling forces to effectively engage targets in difficult terrain or in urban environments.

The current order from the Spanish government underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role as a systems supplier in the field of steep-fire systems. Rheinmetall, one of the world’s largest ammunition manufacturers, was recently awarded a contract to supply the Spanish army with 155mm artillery ammunition worth over €200 million.

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Hexonia Awarded Major European Combat Clothing Contract

Thursday, April 4th, 2024

Hexonia GmbH, a subsidiary of NFM Group AS, has been selected for a significant contract to provide a comprehensive combat clothing system for the Netherlands Armed Forces and the Belgium Navy. The Defence Operational Clothing System (DOKS) represents one of Europe’s most substantial military clothing contracts to date.

The DOKS project entrusts Hexonia GmbH with the responsibility to outfit approximately 45,000 soldiers, delivering an integrated combat clothing system that includes more than 30 different items. Yesterday, the signed 8-year framework agreement was handed over in a festive ceremony in Soesterberg, the Netherlands.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE DOKS PROJECT

A key requirement of the DOKS project is the modularity of the clothing system: soldiers should have the opportunity to wear clothing that is customized and adapted to their specific operational situation. It is designed to cover a wide range of activities and environmental factors, thereby protecting them from specific threats while simultaneously enhancing their performance. An important aspect of the project is the extensive involvement of reference groups, which include soldiers from the navy, the army, the air force, and the military police.

ADVANCED CLOTHING SYSTEM WITH EXTENSIVE SIZING SYSTEM

The system Hexonia has developed encompasses underwear, insulation layers, weather protection, combat shirts, jackets, and pants in a variety of colours and camouflage patterns, along with functional accessories. These are provided in three distinct clothing sets tailored for different operational contexts. The layers within the system are designed to work seamlessly with each other and with the armed forces’ existing protective gear. Featuring a specially developed sizing system that includes up to 35 size gradations, Hexonia guarantees an optimal fit and good comfort for the wearer.

“The high appreciation of our soldiers was decisive in selecting the clothing system of Hexonia”, says Project Lead LTCOL, Bruce Mekking from COMMIT (Commando Materieel en IT of the Dutch Ministry of Defence).

DECADES OF DEVELOPMENT ENSURE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

Quality, durability, and comfort are paramount to Hexonia in the development of combat clothing. For DOKS, the company utilizes high-quality yarns, woven and knitted fabrics developed through extensive research. The production process is predominantly managed by the medium-sized German company: various knitting, cutting, and finishing machines are available across its facilities in Nettetal and Jahnsbach, which span approximately 12,000 square meters. In addition, Hexonia has meticulously established a network of trusted partners, over the years, ensuring quality and the reliability of its production chain. All supplied parts are subjected to strict quality controls in various process stages.

“Being trusted by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to equip the Netherlands Armed Forces and the Belgium Navy fills us with pride and is a confirmation of our daily work. We have invested heavily in research work and built-up in-depth expertise in the development of military clothing for more than 20 years. Hexonia has since 2022 been part of NFM Group, and together we are continuously expanding our production and logistics capacities. This makes us a strong and reliable partner in Europe today, and we are confident to create a strong partnership with COMMIT to provide the Dutch soldiers the clothing needed to do their job, regardless mission, and climatic condition they will meet,” says Nils Toverud, Managing Director of Hexonia GmbH.

“The DOKS project represents more than a contract; it is a profound responsibility. As we embark on this journey to outfit the Netherlands Armed Forces, we at NFM Group, together with Hexonia GmbH, are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in military apparel. Our collaboration signifies a shared vision for excellence and a safer future for those in service,” says Walter Øverland, CEO NFM Group AS.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, International, Press Release | 3 Comments »

R&D Project Award from Five-Eyes Government for DroneShield

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024

DroneShield has been awarded an approximately $900k R&D contract from a Five-Eyes Government. The contract is notable in that it specifically aims to leverage the potential of the DroneSentry-X Mk2 and aims to provide an initial set of software tools to enhance end-user capabilities in the Counter-UAS Electronic Attack domain.

Anechoic chamber of the type to be installed in the DroneShield Sydney facility in mid 2024

This contract aligns closely with DroneShield’s current technology roadmap. Software controlled multi-channel wide band disruption allows for not only optimised channel management, frequency management, power usage and optimisation but also the addition of custom waveforms targeted at various threats.

Advancements in drone protocols designed to move away from RF interference as well as work in high noise, high clutter environments means that traditional methods of disruption may become less effective over time. With a software approach to disruption the ability to adapt the disruption to stay one step ahead of the technology has become paramount of successful disruption systems.

Angus Bean, DroneShield CTO, commented: “DroneShield’s radio frequency jamming capability has been recognised globally as highly effective in defeating nefarious drones. This new contract highlights that the DroneSentry-X Mk2 is a step-function in smart-jamming capabilities. We are looking forward to delivering on the capabilities the Defense users are looking for.”

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, added: “DroneShield products are considered to be market leading by many governments around the world. We pride ourselves on setting the global benchmark. This new contract represents the start of an entirely new generation of disruption capabilities.”

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Wilcox Awarded Contract to Supply the MRF Xe to the German Special Forces

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024

NEWINGTON, NH USA – On 27 February 2024, the German Special Forces awarded Wilcox Industries Corp. a contract to supply the Micro Range Finder – Enhanced (MRF Xe™). This contract is the result of a multi-year competitive selection process. The MRF Xe™ system is Wilcox’s next generation fire control system is engineered with uncompromising performance in mind, the MRF Xe™ provides the end user with extremely accurate ballistic solutions, increased situational awareness in any environment, housed in a very small lightweight form factor.

The contract will be performed by Wilcox in partnership with its German representative and partner IEA Mil-Optics GmbH located in Nagold, Germany, that received the demand to supply laser range finding devices for an array of long-range weapon systems. IEA Mil-Optics will be responsible for managing the supply of the MRF Xe™ to the Bundeswehr for the duration of the contract. The MRF Xe™ will be manufactured at Wilcox’s facility in Newington, NH USA.

In response to the contract award, James Teetzel, CEO of Wilcox stated, “We are very honored and pleased to learn of the good news that Wilcox was down selected as the global partner to the German Special Forces and IEA Mil-Optics GmbH suppling the MRF Xe system. Our unwavering commitment to support the warfighter and safeguarding their wellbeing is utmost priority.”

For more information about the MRF-Xe™, visit: MRF Xe • Wilcox Industries

For information on all other Wilcox and Wilcox Products, visit Wilcox’ website at: www.wilcoxind.com or call: 603-431-1331.

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G3 Systems Wins Overseas Construction Works Contract for Refurbishment of the British Deputy High Commission Office in Lagos, Nigeria

Thursday, March 28th, 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 been awarded a multi-million-pound contract by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) for the remodelling and refurbishment of the British Deputy High Commission (BDHC) in Lagos, Nigeria.

The contract, awarded following a competitive tendering exercise, is a mix of demolition, refurbishment, new build and landscaping works estimated to take 18-24 months. The objectives of the FCDO project are to enhance the working environment for deployed staff, ensure compliance with modern building standards, maximise space utilisation and minimise ongoing maintenance and running costs.

The project will also seize the opportunity to enhance compound security and improve the compounds overall environmental performance, in line with government net carbon zero goals.

Throughout the works, the BDHC will remain occupied and fully operational. Therefore, an essential component of the project is to provide close liaison with staff to ensure the project works are synchronised with their operational needs.

Nick Rose, Managing Director G3 Systems said, “This is excellent news for G3 Systems and a very exciting extension of our existing construction capability. We have a strong pedigree of providing deployable containerised embassy solutions for the government in the past and delivering projects in remote locations for the military, but this is a first to manage a complex construction project in a remote location for the FCDO, which is a fantastic addition to our current portfolio.

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