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Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman System is Selected for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) Programme

Thursday, March 30th, 2023

Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has won a major contract from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. The Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract was awarded following a full and open competition, based on meeting stringent technical requirements, as well as comprehensive end-user evaluation. The one-year framework contract will see delivery of approximately 2100 helmets and 4200 helmet covers, in two patterns, along with spare parts. There is an option to extend to 5 years, with delivery of up to 8400 additional helmets and accessories.

“The Caiman helmet system is a platform with a unique combination of agility, protection, weight reduction, and scalability, built to meet the real-world demands of the modern battlefield,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO at Galvion. “Our global team is incredibly proud of the work that we do and winning this Canadian programme shortly after our recently announced NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract will mean this best-in-class helmet will be protecting more of our NATO allies around the world.” He added: “this contract award validates everything that we are trying to achieve here at Galvion. By providing the very best technical and engineering solutions possible that are also hyper-focused on end-user insight and feedback, we help to increase the agility, lethality and survivability of those who protect us.”

Posted in Contracts, Helmets, International | Comments Off on Galvion’s Batlskin Caiman System is Selected for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) Programme

Curtiss-Wright Awarded Contract to Provide U.S. Marine Corps with Expeditionary Network Communications Technology

Friday, March 24th, 2023

DAVIDSON, N.C. – March 23, 2023 – Curtiss-Wright Corporation, (NYSE: CW) today announced that it has been awarded a follow-on contract by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to provide small form factor network router and switch modules to support communications modernization with highly portable expeditionary network communications technology. Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will provide a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) deployed baseband system for the Marine Corps Wideband Satellite-Expeditionary (MCWS-X) program.

“As a leading supplier of tactical battlefield communications solutions, we are very proud to provide the Marine Corps with our proven field-deployable network communications technology to support the MCWS-X program,” said Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “This contract further strengthens the long and successful relationship we have with the USMC and highlights Curtiss-Wright’s ability to enhance interoperability and improve cost efficiencies with electronics systems that adhere to the DoD’s mandate for solutions based on the Modular Open Systems Approach.”

Curtiss-Wright is performing the work within its Defense Solutions division in the Defense Electronics segment. The products covered by this agreement will be shipped to the USMC from the Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions facility in Portland, Oregon

For more information on Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division products, please visit www.curtisswrightds.com.

Posted in Comms, Contracts, Press Release, USMC | 1 Comment »

Swiss Army Awards Contracts to Six Companies for New Cold Weather Clothing

Tuesday, March 14th, 2023

According to a release late last month, the Swiss Procurement Agency (Bundesamt für Rüstung armasuisse) has awarded contracts to six companies to provide new cold and wet weather combat clothing for around 44 million Suisse francs.

The new producers of kit for the Army combat clothing and equipment (Kampfbekleidung und Ausrüstung der Armee or MBAS) program include two Swiss, one Austrian, one German, one Polish and one Indian company. They are: Workfashion.com AG and Cross Fashion Ltd. from Switzerland, Goldeck Textil GmbH from Austria, Ziegler Textil AG from Germany, Unifeq Sp. Z.o.o. from Poland and Qualiance Pvt. Ltd. from India.

All six companies were also checked in advance for the social sustainability of production, such as working conditions and safety standards.

The program began in 2018 with plans to begin fielding later this year. The MBAS project includes the procurement of new combat clothing and carrying systems in a new camouflage pattern as well as a hydration system and ballistic body protection in two versions.

Contracts for headgear have already been awarded to French and a Polish company. The combat uniform portion of the program is still in source selection. A total of 348 million Suisse francs have been budgeted for MBAS.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, International | 1 Comment »

AFSOC Selects MQ-9B Skyguardian for UAS Family of Systems Concept

Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

GA-ASI to Deliver Three Aircraft to First U.S. Customer

SAN DIEGO – 06 March 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is proud to announce a new contract with U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) to provide three MQ-9B SkyGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft systems to its first U.S. customer.

AFSOC’s acquisition of MQ-9B builds on more than 20 years as a GA-ASI partner and more than 14 years flying the MQ-9A Reaper, operating more than 40 aircraft in harsh environments around the world.

MQ-9B will feature a key role in developing AFSOC’s new Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) concept, which envisions AFSOC projecting air power for special operations forces from beyond the horizon, using a family of large UAS and expendable, small UAS from permissive to denied environments.

“We’re very excited to continue our great partnership with AFSOC well into the future,” said David R. Alexander, president of GA-ASI. “MQ-9B is the ideal platform for inserting air-launched effects into potentially hostile environments. The MQ-9B’s combination of range, endurance, reduced manpower footprint, and overall flexibility will make it a true centerpiece of AFSOC’s future family of advanced UAS systems.”

MQ-9B represents the next generation of UAS, having demonstrated airborne endurance of more than 40 hours in certain configurations, automatic takeoffs and landings under SATCOM-only control, as well as a GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid System, among other upgrades. Its development is the result of a company-funded effort to deliver a UAS that can meet the stringent airworthiness certification requirements of various global military and civil authorities.

MQ-9B has garnered significant interest from customers throughout the world. After the UK Ministry of Defence selected MQ-9B SkyGuardian for its upcoming Protector program, the Belgian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for SkyGuardian. The Japan Coast Guard is currently operating MQ-9B in the SeaGuardian® configuration, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) also recently selected for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS Trial Operation Project beginning in April.

Posted in Air Force, Contracts, Press Release, SOF, UAS | Comments Off on AFSOC Selects MQ-9B Skyguardian for UAS Family of Systems Concept

SOG Sponsors AKTI’s “Carry With Confidence” Knife Giveaway

Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

Cody, WY – SOG Knives & Tools, a supporter of the American Knife and Tools Institute (AKTI) for more than 20 years, is hosting a knife giveaway in March, helping to reinforce AKTI’s mission of educating and informing the public about the value of carrying knives.

In 2023, AKTI will celebrate 25 years as the leading, cohesive voice of the knife industry and advocate for the knife community. Industry members like SOG will spearhead knife giveaways throughout the year to help amplify AKTI’s message. The nonprofit provides valuable information for knife owners to carry and use their knives and edged tools with confidence by providing accurate laws and other valuable information. It advocates to remove or clarify knife laws so individuals can use and enjoy the tool they choose for the task at hand.

The SOG giveaway is free to enter and will be held for two weeks – March 6-20. One winner will be chosen for a grand prize package that includes a folding knife, a multi-tool, and a fixed-blade knife. The prize package is valued at more than $500. To enter, click here.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have the leading brands in the knife industry step up and assist in promoting our mission,” said Mark Schreiber, President of CRKT and President of AKTI. “While we celebrate our 25th anniversary year, these giveaways are one way for us to stay engaged with the knife community that supports our advocacy and education work.”

Other giveaways are planned this year, as is the annual Free to Carry auction that features an outstanding mix of production and custom knives.

Posted in Contracts, Knives, Press Release | Comments Off on SOG Sponsors AKTI’s “Carry With Confidence” Knife Giveaway

Saab Receives Carl-Gustaf Ammunition Order from Lithuania

Friday, March 3rd, 2023

Saab has received an order from Lithuania’s Defence Materiel Agency for Carl-Gustaf® ammunition. The order value is SEK 145 million and deliveries will start during 2024.

The order is placed within a framework agreement initially signed between Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, which allows Lithuania, together with Latvia and Estonia, to place orders for Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons and ammunition during a ten-year period.

“We are pleased to receive an additional order from Lithuania and are ready to continue to deliver our world-leading ground combat capabilities to the customer,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

Proven to deliver results on the battlefield, the Carl-Gustaf provides the effectiveness soldiers need. The wide range of ammunition types available for Carl-Gustaf makes it flexible and able to handle any situation on the battlefield, whether it is to destroy an armoured vehicle or structure, or illuminating the battlefield during night-time operations.

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U.S. Army Selects AeroVironment JUMP 20 Medium Unmanned Aircraft System to Enter Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Program Increment 2

Thursday, March 2nd, 2023

• AeroVironment is the only company to secure an award for all FTUAS program increments, including FTUAS Increments 0,1 and now 2

• Increment 2 is the final phase of the U.S. Army’s FTUAS program competition to select a replacement for the RQ-7B Shadow UAS

The JUMP 20 is shown conducting flight tests and maneuvers on February 25-26, 2021, at Fort Benning, Georgia during the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Rodeo. (Photo: Courtesy asset of the U.S. Department of Defense attributed to Mr. Luke J. Allen). The appearance of U.S. DoD visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

ARLINGTON, Va., March 1, 2023 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today announced it was selected by the United States Army on Feb. 28, 2023, to move forward in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) program.

AeroVironment’s JUMP 20 will compete with several other vendors in the FTUAS Increment 2 multi-phased effort which will allow the Army to select the best system for its needs. Ultimately, FTUAS Increment 2 aircraft will be fielded to Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) throughout the Army, replacing the long-serving RQ-7B Shadow UAS.

During the early stages of what would become the U.S. Army’s FTUAS program, AeroVironment’s JUMP 20 demonstrated superior competitive performance and was awarded the FTUAS Increment 1 contract to develop a prototype system to field to one Brigade Combat Team (BCT). Its success throughout the demonstrations led to AeroVironment’s contract award for FTUAS Increment 0, in which the U.S. Army fielded the JUMP 20 into an additional Army BCT within the United States Army Europe. AeroVironment is the only company awarded the FTUAS contract for all three program increments.

“The AeroVironment JUMP 20 is the most mature and capable solution in its class,” said Gorik Hossepian, AeroVironment’s vice president and product line general manager for medium unmanned aircraft systems. “We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Army to ensure we meet their performance needs both today for an all-environment aircraft system and in the future as requirements evolve to meet changing battlefield demands.”

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Rheinmetall Supplying Ukraine with Automated Reconnaissance Systems – Order in the Two-Digit Million-Euro Range

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023

At the behest of the German government, Rheinmetall is supplying Ukraine with automated reconnaissance systems. These are primarily used for monitoring large areas of terrain with as few personnel as possible. Rheinmetall is cooperating in this project with the Estonian company DefSecIntel. Known as the SurveilSPIRE, these reconnaissance systems consist of mobile surveillance towers with day and night-capable camera equipment, autopiloted mini drones and a control system. The scope of delivery also includes transport vehicles. The order is worth a figure in the double-digit million-euro range. Delivery has already commenced.

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. On behalf of the German government, for example, Rheinmetall subsidiary Zeppelin Mobile Systeme GmbH is supplying Ukraine this year with a turnkey field hospital. Moreover, along with other defence materiel to help it repel the Russian invasion, Ukraine is taking delivery of 26 brand new high-mobility HX swap-body trucks.

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.

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