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NFM Tailoring the Future of Combat Clothing in EU Development Program

Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

NFM Group AS has been selected with partners within the European Defense Fund (EDF) to deliver on the ARMETISS smart textile development program. The project, a €20 million EU-funded project, will develop innovative textile technologies to create smart clothing for soldiers, improving their performance, safety, and well-being.

ARMETISS (Smart Multifunction Textiles for integrated Soldier Systems) aims to develop a set of smart clothes and equipment integrating complementary functions based on EU end-users’ needs and textile-based advanced technologies. The project output will provide the necessary functionality to enhance soldiers’ capacity to perform their demanding tasks while increasing their safety and well-being during military operations.

The ARMETISS project will initiate the development of innovative textile technologies, tailored to cater to the varied needs of the modern soldier by integrating smart functionalities.

“Being selected for the ARMETISS project emphasises our position as forerunners in military textile technology development. This venture reaffirms our commitment to enhancing soldier safety and marks a significant milestone for NFM’s innovation,” says Walter Øverland, CEO of NFM Group AS.

The ARMETISS consortium comprises a total of 18 selected members and spans nine countries.

This powerful union of partners strengthens the program’s potential for successful implementation and promises profound advancements in the realm of multifunctional smart textiles for soldiers.

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American Rheinmetall Vehicles and Team Lynx Awarded Contract for U.S. Army’s XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program

Monday, August 7th, 2023

The U.S. Army has awarded American Rheinmetall Vehicles (Sterling Heights, MI) and the industry leading companies of Team Lynx – Textron Systems, Raytheon Technologies, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission, and Anduril Industries – a contract for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Phase 3 Detailed Design and Phase 4 Prototype Build and Test phases of the five-phased program, now named the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program. The Army awarded a total of two contracts for Phase 3 and 4 performance. The two competitors will now complete the designs that began in the Phase 2 Concept Design phase and build at least seven and as many as 11 prototypes for Army evaluation with a full contract value in excess of $700 million.

“American Rheinmetall Vehicles and our teammates are excited about the award and we look forward to continuing our important work with the Army in this critical modernization program,” said Matthew Warnick, Managing Director for American Rheinmetall Vehicles. “Team Lynx brings together some of the finest defense technology companies in the world and will deliver a truly transformational, modern Infantry Combat Vehicle that ensures our Soldiers can fight, survive, and win on future battlefields.“

American Rheinmetall Vehicles and Team Lynx are developing a next-generation XM30 that achieves the Army’s requirements for a combat vehicle with superior protection, unsurpassed firepower, and unbeatable mobility. Operating with other units or independently, the vehicle can sense, move, and strike in a connected, rapidly changing, complex, and lethal operational environment unlike any Infantry Combat Vehicle before.

With its modular design and open architecture, the Army can tailor the Lynx OMFV to meet specific missions or threats, rapidly evolving to adapt to future requirements. These features also significantly reduce the training and logistics burden, leading to greater operational readiness. The Lynx OMFV’s Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA) hosts an electrical, software, and structural architecture that results in a uniquely modular concept that reduces production and lifecycle costs. This open systems approach to the vehicle architecture, coupled with weight growth margin and electrical power reserve, delivers a transformational platform today that is prepared for rapid adoption and insertion of the emerging new technologies of the future – ensuring overmatch today and overmatch tomorrow.

“American Rheinmetall Vehicles has brought together remarkable companies, ideas, technologies, and approaches to deliver a truly next-generation, lethal, survivable, and enduring infantry fighting vehicle concept,” said retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Bill Mayville, a member of the ARV Board of Directors. “This team is delivering on the Army’s highest and most ambitious priorities and I am confident it will continue to bring exceptional solutions as part of this important modernization effort.”

Design work for the upcoming phases will primarily take place at American Rheinmetall Vehicles’ facility in Sterling Heights, MI, with support from partners across the country. Final prototype assembly is slated to be done at the Textron Systems production facility in Slidell, LA. Upon completion of Phases 3 and 4, the Army plans to down select to one vendor for Low-Rate Initial Production in Phase 5 of the program near the end of 2027.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on American Rheinmetall Vehicles and Team Lynx Awarded Contract for U.S. Army’s XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program

Elbit America to Deliver Bradley Components for U.S. Army

Friday, August 4th, 2023

Gunner hand stations for multiple variants of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle contribute to Soldiers’ lethality and survivability on the battlefield

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – AUG. 2, 2023 – Elbit Systems of America (Elbit America) received a firm-fixed-price delivery order for gunner hand stations for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (Bradley) through the Defense Logistics Agency to support the United States Army. Production of the gunner hand stations will be conducted in Fort Worth, Texas and deliveries will begin in July 2024.

Gunner hand stations are used by Soldiers to position the turret and initiate signals to the fire control systems within multiple Bradley variants. No matter the mission in which the Bradley is used – transport or scouting – the gunner hand station is the same, providing superior capability to the gunner.

“For more than 20 years, Elbit America has designed and manufactured the hand stations for Bradley variants,” said Ridge Sower, Vice President for Ground Combat and Precision Targeting at the company. “Our expertise producing these components have led to modular designs and commonality across vehicle platforms. The end result is a superior, rugged solution that we can produce quickly and get to Soldiers on the battlefield.”

Elbit America currently provides gunner hand stations, commander hand stations, ruggedized tactical displays, the turret processor unit, and the single card turret processor unit for the Bradley Family of Vehicles.

Learn more about Elbit America’s land and C4I solutions at https://www.elbitamerica.com/land.

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

U.S. Air Force And Archer Enter Into Contracts Worth Up To $142 Million Representing Landmark Investment In EVTOL Technology By U.S. Military

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023

• Archer has been partnering with the Department of Defense (DoD) since 2021 on a series of projects through the Air Force’s AFWERX program with the goal of helping the AFWERX Agility Prime program assess the transformational potential of the vertical flight market and eVTOL technologies for DoD purposes

• This new execution phase of the partnership includes the delivery of up to 6 of Archer’s Midnight aircraft, which the Air Force is targeting for use in personnel transport and logistics support, rescue operations and more

• This expansion of Archer’s partnership with the DoD represents a significant investment in the future of the country and will help ensure the U.S. maintains its leadership position in aviation

• The other military branches have the opportunity to leverage these contracts as a platform for additional projects, which could increase the total value of Archer’s DoD partnership

SANTA CLARA, CA, – Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced that it has significantly expanded its partnership with the DoD by signing new contracts with the U.S. Air Force with a total value of up to $142 million. The new contracts signal the U.S. military’s recognition of the transformative potential Archer’s innovative eVTOL aircraft brings to our country’s Armed Forces. This new execution phase of the partnership includes the delivery of up to six of Archer’s Midnight aircraft to the Air Force, the sharing of additional flight test data and certification related test reports, pilot training, and the development of maintenance and repair operations. As a result of these contracts, Archer will create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

Archer has been partnering with the DoD since 2021 on a series of projects through the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX program with the goal of helping the AFWERX Agility Prime program assess the transformational potential of the vertical flight market and eVTOL technologies for DoD purposes. Now, with Archer recently completing the manufacturing of its first Midnight aircraft, the DoD recognizes that with its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, target payload of approximately 1,000lbs, proprietary electric powertrain system, and low noise profile, Archer’s aircraft represents a potential paradigm shift in military aviation and operations. These aircraft hold the promise of enhancing rapid response, agility, and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles, from personnel transport and logistics support to rescue operations and more. Archer’s Midnight aircraft are expected to provide a much safer and quieter alternative to helicopters while being more cost-effective for the U.S. military to transport, operate and maintain in the field.

“This historic agreement reflects the steadfast commitment by our Armed Forces to embrace the cutting-edge technology our eVTOL aircraft offer,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “It’s clear that the development and commercialization of eVTOL technology continues to remain a national priority. We look forward to working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force to integrate Midnight into their operational fleet with a focus on transport, logistics and rescue operations.”

“It is our mission to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in developing and deploying emerging aerospace technology,” said Colonel Tom Meagher, the lead for AFWERX Agility Prime programs. “eVTOL aircraft represent the cusp of the third revolution in aerospace, and these aircraft and their descendents will drive advances in capabilities and efficiency. Our contracts with Archer Aviation provide the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force the opportunity to play a role in ensuring from the onset, and as the technology evolves, that we unlock the many benefits these aircraft have to offer the U.S. military.”

“As a retired senior military leader who was responsible for U.S. forces, operations and activities throughout the continent of Africa, I’m thrilled with this agreement and its potential impact on the capabilities of our Armed Forces,” said Retired 4-Star General and Archer Government Services Advisory Board Member, Steve Townsend. “The United States has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, and this partnership demonstrates our nation’s commitment to maintain that position. I commend the visionary leadership at DoD which led to this contract and Archer’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of aviation technology.”

This announcement comes on the heels of Archer announcing the formation of the company’s Government Services Advisory Board in May. The goal of the advisory board is to allow Archer to more fully engage with U.S. government and public safety agencies to explore opportunities to commercialize its eVTOL aircraft. The members of this advisory board are assisting and facilitating Archer’s direct engagement with appropriate government agencies and officials to advance both consideration and implementation of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft and related technologies. The board includes Retired 4-star General Steve Townsend, Retired 3-star Lieutenant General David A. Krumm, Retired 3-star Vice Admiral Ron Boxall, Retired 2-star General Clayton M. Hutmacher, Retired 2-star General Bill Gayler, and Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Durant.

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, Industry, Press Release, Research | 3 Comments »

Supacat and NP Aerospace Hand-Over Recovery Vehicles to the British Army

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023

Pictured (left in both images) Supacat LWRV Vehicle towing an HMT vehicle

This week, Supacat and NP Aerospace will be delivering new Lightweight Recovery Vehicles to British Army units in Tern Hill and Leuchars as part of the UK Ministry of Defence Protected Mobility Engineering and Technical Support (PMETS) contract.

The Lightweight Recovery Vehicle (LWRV) designed by Supacat and NP Aerospace as engineering authority for PMETS have successfully reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC). They were presented to the Vehicle Support Team within DE&S at an event at Supacat facilities in Devon.

In June 2023, serving members from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Royal Irish Regiment received operational training on the vehicles, and this week they will receive their first vehicles. Later this year, the British Army will receive two further Supacat LWRV vehicles to fulfil their need for off-road capability in harsh environments like those encountered during Operation Newcombe in Mali, Africa.

LWRV has addressed the capability gap for a recovery vehicle with the off-road performance to follow the routes of the British Army’s High Mobility Transport (HMT) `Jackal` and `Coyote` vehicles, developed by Supacat. The solution utilises four in-service Jackal 2 vehicles with the addition of Supacat’s innovative ‘Extenda’ removable 3rd axle to provide the recovery module and configure the 4×4 Jackal 2 as the 6×6 `Coyote`. The LWRV solution incorporates Supacat’s patented ‘Supalift’ recovery system technology, enabling the recovery of both the Foxhound and HMT platforms.

Brigadier Matt Wilkinson, Vehicle Support Team Leader at DE&S, said: “The announcement of the Lightweight Recovery Variant reaching Initial Operating Capability is the product of fantastic collaboration between the British Army, Defence Equipment and Support, Supacat and NP Aerospace under the PMETS contract. We now have a Lightweight Recovery capability, which the British Army can exploit to inform the Army’s Future Soldier requirements for recovery vehicles.”

David Petheram, Managing Director & Senior Vice President, NP Aerospace, commented: The PMETS contract has run successfully for the last four years, delivering significant innovations that have benefited the British Army on operation. Achieving IOC is an important step in our lightweight recovery vehicle programme with Supacat and demonstrates our joint collaboration with industry partners for the benefit of the UK MOD.”

Phil Applegarth, Director and Head of Supacat, said: “We are thrilled to hand over new

LWRV vehicles to the British Army in partnership with NP Aerospace. This solution fills a crucial capability gap and showcases the HMT’s modularity as a highly adaptable vehicle that can accommodate various system integrations based on operational needs. The LWRV has been equipped with a ground-breaking technology called “Supalift,” which significantly extends the lifting capacity of light vehicle recovery systems for the Army.”

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Australian Defence Force Selects Hanwa’s Redback as New Infantry Fighting Vehicle to Replace Aging M113s

Thursday, July 27th, 2023

Redback to bring Army some sting

A Redback infantry fighting vehicle on display in Canberra. Army will take delivery of 129 of the vehicles, to be built in Geelong. Photo: Andrew Green

The Army will receive 129 new infantry fighting vehicles in response to Australia’s changing strategic environment.

Making the announcement today, the Australian Government said Hanwha’s state-of-the-art Redbacks would be built at the company’s facilities in the Geelong region, supporting Australia’s strategic imperative to develop sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities.

At a cost of between $5 billion and $7 billion, the LAND 400 Phase 3 project will be one of the largest capability acquisitions in Army’s history.

Replacing the M113 armoured personnel carriers, which were acquired in 1964, the first Redback will be delivered in early 2027.

With its latest-generation armour, cannon and missiles, they will provide the protection, mobility and firepower required to transport and protect soldiers in close combat, giving them the highest chance of achieving their mission and returning safely.

The government said the acquisition was part of its drive to modernise the Army to ensure it could respond to the land challenges in the region.

The new vehicles will be delivered about the same time as the new HIMARS missile systems and landing craft, reflecting the Defence Strategic Review’s call for Army to be transformed for littoral manoeuvre operations from Australia.

The government said it was providing the ADF with the capabilities it needed to defend Australia and protect national security.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the government was committed to investing in the security of the nation and the safety of Australian soldiers.

“We are also committed to supporting Australian defence industry so we can make more of the critical defence equipment we need in this country rather than relying on overseas suppliers,” Mr Conroy said.

“Our decision to build the Redback infantry fighting vehicles in Australia will support up to 600 direct jobs and more than a thousand jobs in the Australian industry supply chain.”

By Australian Defence Force

Posted in Admin, Contracts, Guest Post, International, Mobility | 2 Comments »

Young Guns – Aquaterro Receives First Order for Sidearm Weapon System from Australian Defence Force

Friday, July 21st, 2023

Aquaterro has received its first Purchase Order for the new Sidearm Weapon System (SWS) under the Australian Defence Force LAND 159 Program.

The multi-million dollar PO comes after exhaustive engineering analysis, testing, and evaluation since contract award in October 2022. This effort enables the weapon system to be introduced into service with the ADF and confirms Aquaterro as the largest participant supplier of weapon systems under LAND 159.

The new ADF SWS comprises the SIG P320 X-Carry Pro, SIG ROMEO2 Red Dot Sight, and SIG FOXTROT2 Weapon Light.

The Australian Army is upgrading its lethality system, including its small arms capabilities through Project LAND 159. The LAND 159 government website states that it is undertaking the procurement of “next-generation weapon systems, ammunition, and training and support systems [that] will ensure that ADF ground combatants maintain a capability advantage over potential adversaries to beyond 2030.”

All SIG P320s will complete their final manufacturing process: application of customer-specific laser engraving, at Aquaterro’s new Laser Machining Centre, located within Aquaterro’s High Security Defence Precinct in Southeast Melbourne.

Utilising multiple advanced workstations, Aquaterro qualified armourers and laser technicians will disassemble the weapons, conduct the laser engraving, reassemble the weapons, perform function checks, and package them for delivery to the ADF via NIOA, the program managing contractor.

Aquaterro Founder and CEO, Graeme Bulte said, “We are thrilled that these systems are now lined up for production at SIG’s manufacturing facilities, and our team is prepped and ready for their arrival and clearance into Australia. The extensive testing and evaluation conducted for the ADF program confirms the products have met the rigorous requirements of the ADF, and we can’t wait for them to begin to arrive at our facility in Melbourne towards the end of this year.” “We are proud of the combined work of our team and with the solid support from SIG, which is aiming to provide these weapons on budget and substantially ahead of schedule”.

Aquaterro is a 100% Australian owned, medium-sized company that has grown over 30 years under the same ownership, to become one of Australia’s largest providers of individual equipment, including small arms and munitions, to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and police customers around Australia. Aquaterro employs 50+ people, and is headquartered in its new, purpose-built ~11,000m2 secure defence industry precinct in Southeast Melbourne. Aquaterro has delivered over $150m worth of equipment to Defence over the past 7 years, via LAND 125’s Tiered Combat Helmet (Team Wendy EXFIL) and Night Vision Goggle Mount (Wilcox G24) contracts alone; proudly achieving a faultless Scorecard record for delivery of these supplies.

Aquaterro’s facilities include advanced manufacturing as well as industrial research, engineering, in-house design, and sovereign manufacturing capability. Aquaterro also designs and manufactures equipment under its own Peacemaker® brand, which it provides to clients across Australia and exports overseas.

SIG SAUER and Aquaterro have been working closely since 2017 to offer world-leading solutions and win business in the Australian Defence and Law Enforcement market. This PO is the latest and largest contract for SIG weapon systems in Australia to date, and demonstrates the commitment both companies have for Australia.

Aquaterro was also selected to supply the new Personal Defence Weapon System (PDWS) into LAND 159, consisting of the SIG MCX, ROMEO4T Optic, JULIET4 Magnifier, and SIG Suppressors. These items are completing their test and evaluation processes prior to a procurement decision.”

www.aquaterro.com

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Hungary Awards Rheinmetall and UVision a Major Contract for the Hero Loitering Munitions – Order Volume in the Three-Digit Million-Euro Range

Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has secured an important order from Hungary for Hero Loitering Munitions. Contracts to this effect have now been signed. The munitions are worth a figure in the low three-digit million-euro range. Delivery will begin in 2024 and is scheduled to end in 2025.

Hero Loitering Munitions are a family of operationally proven, widely used effectors which Rheinmetall fabricates and markets in Europe under a cooperation agreement with UVision Air Ltd. of Israel. In October 2021 Rheinmetall and UVision embarked on a strategic partnership aimed at addressing sharply increased demand for remotely controlled precision munitions.

Hero precision munitions provide modern armed forces on today’s battlefields with the ultimate in operational flexibility. The weapon systems possess a unique, autonomous target engagement capability, including reconnaissance, monitoring and recognition. It locates, tracks and engages emerging enemy targets with low signatures beyond the line of sight.

Hero Loitering Munition systems circle over the target zone, locating and tracking the enemy and analysing possible targets. They help to select high-value targets as well as suitable timing, direction and angle of attack before carrying out a high-precision strike. Hero Loitering Munition systems feature a high degree of commonality and can therefore be operated from the same operating and datalink terminal on the ground.
All Hero systems are designed to operate in complex battlefield conditions, including in environments without GPS reception or jammed radio connections. Modern armed forces around the world, among them those of major NATO members, use Hero Loitering Munitions, which have proven highly effective in combat operations.

The Hero system has demonstrated its effectiveness against a multitude of different targets, including infantry, light vehicles on the move, tanks, enemy field fortifications, air defence systems and critical infrastructure. It offers major advantages in modern warfare scenarios. Thanks to their rapid deployability and independent target acquisition and engagement capabilities, Hero Loitering Munitions can operate at all echelons, from supreme headquarters to the individual soldier on the ground, and lend themselves to strategic and tactical missions alike.

Posted in Contracts, International, Munitions | 3 Comments »