Contracts | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

Second Call-Off from Rheinmetall Framework Contract: Bundeswehr Orders Artillery Ammunition

Tuesday, October 10th, 2023

Rheinmetall has booked a major order for 155mm artillery ammunition following a second call-off under an existing framework order with the German government. The latter has contracted with the Düsseldorf-based tech group to supply the Ukrainian armed forces with tens of thousands of L15 rounds as well as conventional 155mm Assegai shells for the German military. The order is worth a figure in the lower three-digit million-euro range. Delivery is scheduled to take place in 2024.

As recently as July 2023, Rheinmetall announced the signing of a new framework agreement for artillery ammunition with the Bundeswehr and the expansion of an existing agreement. The contracts encompass the delivery of several hundred thousand shells, fuses and propelling charges.

The war in Ukraine has compelled the armed forces of numerous nations to replenish their ammunition stocks. In this context, Rheinmetall has already booked several large orders for artillery ammunition.

The recently concluded framework agreement for 155mm artillery ammunition runs until 2029 and represents gross potential order volume of around €1.2 billion. The first orders of service and practice ammunition came directly after the contract was signed.

Among other products, Rheinmetall’s family of artillery ammunition includes the high-explosive DM121 shell, the DM125 smoke/obscurant projectile and (jointly developed with Diehl) the DM702 SMArt sensor fuse munition, plus the RH68 practice round and the range-optimized RH1901 an RH1902 smoke/obscurant projectiles.

The Group’s portfolio also includes the versatile 155mm Assegai family from Rheinmetall Denel Munition, which encompasses insensitive ammunition and conventional HE shells as well as smoke/obscurant, illumination, infrared illumination and other projectiles. All Assegai artillery ammunition types have a maximum range of approximately 40 kilometres. Under the latest framework agreement, the tried-and-tested Assegai ammunition family will now be entering service with the Bundeswehr.

Posted in Ammo, Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Second Call-Off from Rheinmetall Framework Contract: Bundeswehr Orders Artillery Ammunition

Another Order for Rheinmetall in the Field of Automated Reconnaissance Systems for Ukraine – Order in the Two-Digit Million-Euro Range

Saturday, October 7th, 2023

Rheinmetall has again been awarded a contract to supply automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine. The order was placed by the German government. Rheinmetall has again been awarded a contract to supply automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine. The order was placed by the German government.

SurveilSpire is a drone defence system designed to reconnoitre and engage hostile drones. The reconnaissance systems include mobile surveillance towers with day and night vision camera equipment, autopiloted mini-drones and a command and control system. Transport vehicles are also included in the scope of delivery. The systems are used in particular to monitor sections of terrain with as few personnel as possible. The system can also provide a 5G network. Rheinmetall is cooperating on the project with the Estonian company DefSecIntel.

The order value is in the lower double-digit million euro range. Delivery has already begun.

Made by Estonia’s DefSecIntel, the SurveilSPIRE surveillance towers can be loaded onto trailers and quickly transported to their area of operation. Assembly requires three personnel; operation is fully automated. The system includes wireless links (4G and Starlink) for video transmission to a mobile command post. Solar panels enable sustained operation without power cables or a fuel source. The system relies on autopiloted reconnaissance drones that conduct patrols and mission-specific flights. This enables inspection of detected threats and lets the operator initiate necessary countermeasures.
Rheinmetall is already taking part in several projects in support of Ukraine. These include deliveries of Marder infantry fighting vehicles, ammunition of various calibres, field hospitals, military trucks and, soon, a LUNA Next Generation reconnaissance system. Furthermore, Rheinmetall is a partner in multiple multilateral “Ringtausch” transactions. This procedure, developed by the German government, is designed to support the Ukrainian war effort in cooperation with Germany’s European neighbours and NATO partners. Here, NATO member nations transfer Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine in exchange for surplus Western-made systems.

Posted in Contracts, International, ISR, Press Release | Comments Off on Another Order for Rheinmetall in the Field of Automated Reconnaissance Systems for Ukraine – Order in the Two-Digit Million-Euro Range

EOTECH’s Distributor Awarded UK MoD Contract for SWESS Light Battle Systems

Friday, October 6th, 2023

Plymouth, MI (October 2023) – Viking Arms Ltd, a long-standing distributor in the UK for EOTECH, is proud to announce the award for a seven-year contract framework by the Dismounted Close Combat team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), for the Procurement and Support of up to a total fleet requirement of 12,000 SWESS Light Battle Systems, subject to financial approval.

As part of the framework, Viking Arms and EOTECH will provide the Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS) EXPS3™ and the G33™ 3x Magnifier as a complete system. The EOTECH HWS is considered the fastest target acquisition CQB weapon sight available with true two eyes open, a proven solution that has been in-service with the UK Ministry of Defence for over 15 years.

EOTECH President, Dennis Finnegan commented, “We are very honored to be a part of this program. EOTECH’s history of supporting the United Kingdom’s warfighters along with our partner, Viking Arms, is a point of pride for everyone in our organization. We look forward to continuing to provide our weapon sights, lasers, and sensors that help make the UK Ministry of Defence a more successful and lethal force.”

For more information, please visit www.eotechinc.com

Posted in Contracts, International, Optics, Press Release | 2 Comments »

USSOCOM Awards Contract to Final Forge for Rotary Wing Advanced Tactical Helmets

Sunday, October 1st, 2023

Last week USSOCOM awarded an IDIQ contract to Final Forge for the Rotary Wing Advanced Tactical Helmets we wrote about awhile back which were adopted by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ‘Night Stalkers.’

Final Forge, Blountville, Tennessee, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92403-23-D-0004) with a maximum ceiling of $49,000,000 and a $5,000 minimum ordering guarantee for a new generation of rotary wing advanced tactical helmets with spare parts and accessories. The helmets provide operationally relevant characteristics and performance including but not limited to excellent comfort, stability, field of view, and head mobility. This contract will fulfill the full operational capability requirements for all U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) rotary wing aviation components. Fiscal 2023 procurement funds in the amount of $874,970 are being obligated at time of award on the first delivery order. This contract is a follow-on production contract stemming from a competitive prototype agreement and is being awarded in accordance with10 U.S. Code 4022(f). USSOCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

The RATH was developed and is manufactured by Final Forge, a company founded by David Rogers who coincidentally also founded Ops-Core before selling it to Gentex in 2012.

Posted in Aviation, Contracts, Helmets, SOF | 4 Comments »

USSOCOM Awards Geissele Automatics $29 Million for Mid Range Gas Gun – Sniper

Saturday, September 30th, 2023

This week, USSOCOM finally issued a contract for the Mid Range Gas Gun – Sniper or MRGG-S (pronounced Margie-Ess at SOCOM), a 6.5 Creedmoor gas gun. However, the barrel is user swappable to 7.62mm as per the requirement.

This photo was taken during SOF Week. The program of record rifle features everything you see here except the optic as SOCOM has several optics initiatives under way.

Below is the DoD contract announcement:

Geissele Automatics, North Wales, Pennsylvania, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92403-23-D-0003) with a 10-year ordering period and a maximum ceiling of $29,263,029 to procure a new sniper support weapon, designated marksman, rifle taking advantage of advances in ammunition and weapons technology to improve the intermediate range sniper rifle lethality, reliability and performance when suppressed during 50-1,500 meter engagements. This effort will also provide for complete sustainment over the life cycle of the weapon system, including associated spare parts and vendor support, new equipment training, engineering, and travel. Fiscal 2023 procurement funds in the amount of $4,240,133 are being obligated at time of award on the first delivery order. This contract is a follow-on production contract stemming from a competitive prototype agreement and is being awarded in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 4022(f). U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Although listed on Geissele’s website, the gun is not in stock.

The commercial variant features a 20″ cold hammer forged from CRMOV steel and chrome lined barrel. The barrel is interchangeable between 6.5 Creedmoor and 7.62×51 mm NATO at the user level. The full features are available at the Geissele site.

There is still a program afoot to adopt an Assaulter version of MRGG. It features a shorter barrel and different stock as well as full-auto fire.

Posted in Contracts, SOF, weapons | 33 Comments »

Special Forces of the German Armed Forces to use Vector reconnaissance drones from Quantum Systems in the future

Thursday, September 28th, 2023

German drone manufacturer from Munich wins “FALKE” tender from the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw)

Germany, Munich, September 27, 2023 – Quantum-Systems GmbH, Munich-based manufacturer of dual-use reconnaissance drones that use multi-sensor technology to collect data for government agencies and commercial users, yesterday signed a framework agreement with the BAAINBw for the delivery of Vector reconnaissance drones.

Delivery of 14 unmanned aerial systems begins at the end of 2024

In November 2022, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) published the project under the name “Framework contract for the procurement of remotely piloted reconnaissance systems, airborne, short range” – “FALKE” for short. The complex performance specifications of the competitive award procedure placed numerous requirements on the future supplier of the unmanned systems. Quantum Systems successfully submitted a bid and was able to conclude the framework agreement with the BAAINBw on September 26, 2023.

Delivery of the first 14 systems is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the future, the Bundeswehr will thus have a system for precise reconnaissance that can be deployed quickly and independently.

Requirements for availability, innovation capability and precise reconnaissance methods

The vertical take-off and landing capable drone type Vector provides the German Army’s special forces with a market-available tactical reconnaissance system optimized for their range of operations and meeting requirements in terms of range, flight time and sensor capability. Vector enables precise reconnaissance over a range of up to 30 km with a flight duration of up to three hours. The integrated ‘Raptor’ combi-sensor is equipped with an optical and an infrared camera, enabling day and night operations in all climates and under challenging environmental conditions.

For the operational tasks of the Army’s special forces, precise reconnaissance is a mandatory requirement.

Posted in Contracts, Press Release, SOF, UAS | Comments Off on Special Forces of the German Armed Forces to use Vector reconnaissance drones from Quantum Systems in the future

KONGSBERG Awarded NOK 1 Billion CROWS Order

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has received an order from the US Army to deliver an additional 409 CROWS remote weapon stations, spares and support. The order has a value of USD 94 million or approximately NOK 1 billion.

The order is part of the IDIQ* frame contract awarded in October 2022, the fourth consecutive five-year contract awarded KONGSBERG for the delivery and support of the US Army Commonly Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS).

“We are very pleased for the opportunity to deliver additional CROWS systems to the US Army and with the confidence our customers place in our products and our organization,” says Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The deliveries will be manufactured and assembled at the KONGSBERG facility in Johnstown PA.

Over the past 25 years, KONGSBERG has delivered more than 22,000 Remote Weapon Systems to customers in more than 28 different nations.

*indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity

Posted in Contracts, International, Weapon Accessories | Comments Off on KONGSBERG Awarded NOK 1 Billion CROWS Order

Tardigrade.Industries Wins Contract to Develop Cutting-Edge Ballistic Resistant Eyewear from the US Department of Defense

Monday, September 25th, 2023

[Skowhegan, ME, 05/20/23] — Tardigrade Industries, a leading innovator in advanced protective solutions, is proud to announce its success in winning a contract to design and manufacture state-of-the-art projectile and bullet resistant eyewear. This significant achievement further solidifies Tardigrade’s position as the innovator in the industry, dedicated to enhancing the safety and protection of those serving in high-risk professions.

The contract, awarded by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC), signifies a significant milestone for Tardigrade Industries in its pursuit of delivering unparalleled quality and innovation to protect today’s warfighters and peacekeepers against the ever-evolving threats around them. Tardigrade’s expertise in protective equipment and technologies, combined with its commitment to rigorous research and development, has resulted in a breakthrough product that sets new benchmarks in armored ballistic eyewear. The IWTSD contract will fund its development of ballistic eyewear capable of stopping substantially higher threats than current standards, and set the standard for all future military eyewear.

Designed to withstand the most demanding environments, Tardigrade’s offering offers exceptional protection against ballistic threats, including projectiles, fragments, and other potential hazards, as well as offering scratch and fog resistance for all operations. The cutting-edge materials and advanced manufacturing processes employed by Tardigrade ensure the highest levels of performance, durability, and wearer comfort, without compromising on style while enhancing visual clarity over previous materials.

As a company at the forefront of innovation, Tardigrade Industries remains committed to pushing boundaries, investing in research and development, and collaborating with industry partners to advance the field of protective eyewear. Through this contract win, Tardigrade is set to revolutionize the way soldiers approach safety in high-risk environments, offering them peace of mind and enhanced performance.

About Tardigrade Industries: Tardigrade Industries is a leading provider of advanced protective solutions, committed to delivering industry-leading products that ensure the safety and well-being of professionals operating in high-risk environments. With an unwavering focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, Tardigrade continues to set new standards in protective technologies in the Tactical and Military world.

Posted in Contracts, Eyepro, Press Release | Comments Off on Tardigrade.Industries Wins Contract to Develop Cutting-Edge Ballistic Resistant Eyewear from the US Department of Defense