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Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category

São Paulo Brazil Awards B&T USA Contract for APC40 PRO Models

Friday, December 11th, 2020

Tampa, FL(December 11, 2020)– B&T USA is proud to announce the São Paulo Brazil Military Police purchased the B&T APC40 PRO platform. These compact weapon systems are chambered in the .40 S&W, allowing cartridge commonality between the divisions recently procured Glock service pistol and its new sub machine gun.  

“After enduring a rigorous and thorough selection process, B&T is pleased that our APC40 PRO model has been chosen by the officers of the São Paulo Military Police,” stated Jon Scott, Vice President of Sales, B&T USA. “This contract also marks the company’s first exportation of US-produced APC40 models, built right here in Tampa, Florida — which, in and of itself, is very exciting for us.”

In addition to B&T’s APC40 PRO models, the São Paulo Military Police will also receive US-produced B&T tri-lug SMG suppressors, unique B&T 30-round Glock magazines and Vicker’s Tactical VCAS two-point adjustable slings with U-Loop attachments by Blue Force Gear.

Galvion Helmet System Chosen as Next-Generation Protection for German Specialised Forces

Friday, December 11th, 2020

Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power management solutions, is pleased to announce that a customized Baltskin® Viper helmet solution has been chosen as the next Specialised Forces Helmet (Helm SpezKr schwer; Specialised Forces are Ranger-type units of the German Army). The program was awarded to Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH, who will act as the in-country contracting entity for the Galvion helmet, following a full and open competition. The contract encompasses the delivery of up to 20,000 helmets, with an initial order for 5000 helmet systems and helmet refurbishment plan to be executed in-country by Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics, as well as the option for a 2-year contract extension following contract framework completion in 2025.

The bespoke helmet system, developed to the German MoD’s rigorous performance and technical standards, underwent thorough testing and an extensive user evaluation prior to being selected.  The Viper helmet solution will come in a custom German Green colour, and features Galvion’s Modular Suspension System which has been configured to meet a variety of impact standards and mission requirements.  The helmet is lighter, offers better protection and improved integration with Communication Devices and NVGs than the current fielded helmet, and end-user feedback rated the helmet comfortable and high-performing.  Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics will begin delivering the Galvion helmet to the German Specialised Forces in Q2 2021.

“After years of development, we are honoured to have our Viper helmet system chosen by the German Specialised Forces,” commented Alex Hooper, Galvion’s V.P. of Global Business Development. “Our experienced team of engineers and designers worked with the MoD to build a user-centric system that balances protection, integration, durability and optimized fit.  Germany’s exacting technical requirements and broad testing process ensures that their soldiers will be outfitted with a high-performing system that has been tailored to meet their unique mission needs.  Having RSE acting as our contracting entity ensures that the German Bundeswehr will have a premium product with reliable in-country support throughout the life of the program. “

Hooper added: “Galvion has developed a reputation as the leader in NATO next-generation helmet systems, and the awarding of this contract speaks of our commitment to provide bespoke solutions for the modern soldier.”

As well as this latest award, Galvion enjoys an impressive track record of large-scale global sales for protective head systems and soldier power management systems. Other key customers include defence forces from the US, Canada, UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, in addition to many NATO SF unit around the world.

www.galvion.com

USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle Achieves Major Milestone

Thursday, December 10th, 2020

The US Department of Defense announced today:

BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., Sterling Heights, Michigan, is awarded an $184,444,865 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to previously awarded contract M67854-16-0006 for amphibious combat vehicles (ACV).  This modification provides for the procurement of 36 full rate production ACVs and other associated production costs for the Marine Corps.  Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania (60%); Aiken, South Carolina (15%); San Jose, California (15%); Sterling Heights, Michigan (5%); and Stafford, Virginia (5%).  Work is expected to be completed in November 2022.  Fiscal 2021 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $184,444,865 are being obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-16-C-0006).

Marine Corps’ Program Executive Office Land Systems issues a story about the program:

Marine Corps will begin fielding Amphibious Combat Vehicle

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.— The Marine Corps’ new Amphibious Combat Vehicle has achieved two new major milestones.

On Nov. 13, the Marine Corps’ Capabilities Development Directorate approved the Initial Operational Capability of the ACV. Marines with 1st Marine Division aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, were the first to receive the vehicle.

The Program Manager Advanced Amphibious Assault program office at Program Executive Officer Land Systems manages the system.

“We’re providing Marines with a modern, armored personnel carrier that offers tremendous capability with respect to survivability,” said Col. Kirk Mullins, program manager for Advanced Amphibious Assault at PEO Land Systems. “The ACV gives the Marine Corps a capable platform operational across the full-range of military operations.”

Then, on Dec. 8, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) James Geurts approved the vehicle for Full-Rate Production. This means the Marine Corps can build and field higher quantities of the ACV at a sustained rate over the next several years.

What is the ACV?

The ACV is a next-generation, eight-wheeled vehicle designed to move Marines from ship to shore. The vehicle will be the primary means of tactical mobility for the Marine infantry battalion at sea and ashore, replacing the Corps’ aging Assault Amphibious Vehicle.

The ACV provides organic, direct fire support to dismounted infantry. The vehicle’s ability to leverage waterways to carry Marines and equipment make it well-suited for various operating environments, including Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations.

It is net-ready, secure, interoperable, operationally effective and built for future growth. In the future, the Corps intends to develop, procure and field three additional variants that specialize in command and control, recovery operations and increased firepower.

“The fielding of the ACV is significant because we’re replacing the AAV, which has been effective for decades but was fielded in 1972,” said Mullins. “We’re providing Marines with a modern, more capable combat vehicle that is more adaptable to today’s battlefield.”

Col. David G. Bardorf, the director of Ground Combat Element Division at the Marine Corps’ Capabilities Development Directorate, said the ACV has progressed significantly since its initial requirements discussions in 2014. Combat Development and Integration was responsible for developing the requirements set that would be needed to replace the older platform.

“Reaching IOC is a testament to those involved in this program and the constant communication between the stakeholders: requirements, program managers, and [the vendor],” said Bardorf. “In the end, the Marine Corps is receiving an upgrade in capability ahead of schedule. We look forward to the program moving forward towards Full Operational Capability.”

Mullins said the vehicle is projected to reach FOC in fiscal year 2028.

Marines excited for new vehicle

In 2019, PEO Land Systems oversaw extensive testing involving the ACV that confirmed the vehicle’s ability to not only take on challenging surf, but also complete a long swim from ship to shore. The testing also indicated that the ACV has greater survivability and mobility than the AAV.

In 2020, Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity performed independent operational testing involving the ACV’s achieved suitability, effectiveness and survivability. Results from the assessments, as well as feedback from Marines trained to employ the vehicle, came back positive.

Mullins believes the ACV achieving IOC and FRP is a significant achievement for the Marine Corps, as Marines will receive an innovative vehicle that further supports their missions in various combat environments for years to come.

“As program manager, I’ve spent a lot of time speaking with Marines who have trained with this vehicle in a variety of test environments,” said Mullins. “The feedback we’ve consistently received has been overwhelmingly positive. Marines seem to really love the vehicle.”

Story by Barb Hamby, PEO Land Systems

Photo by by Ashley Calingo

Speer Ammunition Awarded Contract to Provide Duty Ammunition to Top Nordic Police Agencies Including Norwegian and Swedish Police

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020

LEWISTON, Idaho – December 8, 2020 – Speer Ammunition was recently awarded the joint Nordic Police 9mm duty handgun ammunition contract for Speer 124-grain Gold Dot. Speer’s sister company Federal already holds the duty rifle contract for .223 Tactical Bonded and .308 Tactical Bonded Tip precision rounds. The duty handgun contract will supply these agencies for up to four years.

“We are extremely pleased with this prestigious contract award, as it validates the high level of trust the international law enforcement agencies have with our extremely reliable and innovative products,” said Speer’s President Jason Vanderbrink. 

“The testing specifications and procedures for these contracts were some of the most thorough in the world,” said VP of Law Enforcement, Government and International Sales David Leis. “The use of Gold Dot technology in this contract ammunition ensures the highest performance threshold and absolute confidence in performance, and we are proud to produce ammunition that meets and exceeds our customer’s strict requirements.”

The selected duty rounds utilize Speer Gold Dot technology, which has set an industry benchmark for both self-defense and duty use, earning the trust of consumers and law enforcement world-wide. The bullet features a pressure-formed lead core that is bonded to an extremely uniform jacket a single atom at a time that virtually eliminates separation on impact for more retained weight and consistent penetration depths. The Gold Dot hollow-point design expands consistently through a full range of barriers. Reliable ignition and cycling are delivered thanks to sealed primers and nickel-plated brass.

Speer ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Speer. For more information on all products from Speer or to shop online, visit www.speer.com.

B&T Provides the United States Air Force with APC9K PRO Models

Friday, December 4th, 2020

Tampa, FL (December 4, 2020) – B&T, Inc. is proud to announce the United States Air Force has purchased B&T APC9K PRO platforms. These ultra-compact weapon systems are destined for specialized service and close personal protection use within the branch.

“B&T is honored to have our APC9K PRO selected by the United States Air Force. We’re pleased to know that specially trained Airmen will be equipped with the finest equipment available to not only ensure their personal safety during challenging assignments, but contribute to the overall success of their mission,” stated Jon Scott, Vice President of Sales, B&T USA.

The United States Air Force is the second branch of service to purchase APC9K PRO sub compact weapon systems after identifying an operational need for a highly concealable, sub machine gun. At less than 15-inches in length, the APC9K is optimized for low visibility carriage and discreet deployment; use in and around vehicles, and within confined spaces — all while delivering unsurpassed accuracy, controllability and ergonomics.

About the APC9K

The APC9K utilizes a hydraulic buffer system to drastically reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise and is the most compact version the APC9 PRO line. The platform features functional updates to include dual auto-folding, non-reciprocating and ambidextrous charging handles, improved lower receiver ergonomics that include a side positioned bolt hold open/release, removable M4 compatible grip, and Magpul M-Lok accessory slots located on the forend. Additionally, the APC9K can be equipped to accommodate Glock 9mm magazines, SIG P320 magazines or proprietary B&T magazines, by simply switching the non-serialized lower receiver group. 

www.bt-arms.com

Australian Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Unveiled for Land 400 Phase 3 Program

Thursday, November 12th, 2020

Rheinmetall has unveiled the first of three Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicles designed, developed and manufactured for the Commonwealth of Australia’s $AUD18.1 billion (11.1 MrdEUR) Land 400 Phase 3 program.
Lynx is a next generation tracked, digitised and highly protected Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) built to meet the stringent military requirements of Land 400 Phase 3. The Australian Army needs a new IFV for close combat to close in and defeat an enemy in the most dangerous and lethal environments for Australian soldiers.

Rheinmetall is delivering each of the Lynx vehicles to compete in the test and evaluation trials as part of the Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) to be conducted around Australia over a 12 month timeframe from November 2020. If successful, the Lynx fleet will be manufactured in Queensland at Rheinmetall’s new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) at Redbank south-west of Brisbane.

The RMA trials will incorporate a range of tests including lethality, mobility and protection. The vehicle unveiled will be the focus of blast testing at a dedicated Commonwealth facility in coming months.

Lynx was unveiled at a closed ceremony with selected Australian industry partners at the MILVEHCOE. Each of the Lynx vehicles delivered into the RMA trials will incorporate a significant level of Australian industry content and local partners to the Rheinmetall offer for Land 400 Phase 3 will be announced in coming weeks.

“Rheinmetall looks forward to demonstrating the capability of this next generation infantry fighting vehicle,” said Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart. “We believe Lynx is the best vehicle in its class and sets a new standard in protection and the lethality needed to survive and defeat any adversary.

“Lynx has been developed so it is positioned at an ideal level of maturity when Australia needs it to enter service – and it will have a growth path to extend these capabilities through its 40-year life.”

Lynx has been selected by the Hungarian Armed Forces for the delivery of more than 200 vehicles in the first launch order for the vehicle globally. Rheinmetall Defence Australia will export turrets to the value of $150 million manufactured by Australians – and will soon announce further export orders into the Hungarian program including orders for Australian SMEs.

Rheinmetall is delivering 211 8×8 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) to the Australian Army after the vehicle was selected by the Commonwealth after 12 months of RMA trials by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in 2016-2017.

The company is establishing a local industrial capability in Australia for the design, development and manufacture of military vehicles that creates high technology enduring jobs for hundreds of Australians by localising design and manufacturing expertise in electro-optics, weapon systems, fire control and sensor systems, turret manufacturing, variant design and manufacture, integration, armour systems, simulation, training and fleet sustainment.

“Design, development and manufacture of the Lynx in Australia for the ADF will build on the advanced manufacturing jobs at our new MILVEHCOE, as well as a strong industrial network of SMEs across Australia,” Mr Stewart said.

Both the Boxer and Lynx are modular. That means the vehicle can be split in two, with a mission module sitting on a common drive module. This allows for swap out of mission modules for operational needs, reducing through-life cost for the introduction of new technology, and ongoing fleet management.

“Rheinmetall has taken all of the significant benefits of the Boxer and ensured they are part of the Lynx KF41 package,” Mr Stewart said.
“Our partnership with Army and the Commonwealth to deliver the Boxer for Land 400 Phase 2 presents the opportunity to deliver develop a complete armoured vehicle fighting force for the ADF.”

www.rheinmetall.com

Rheinmetall to Supply Thermal Imaging Aiming Devices Worth €27 million for the Bundeswehr’s Marder IFVs

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020

Saphir 2.6 MK order is the latest in a series of moves to keep the vehicle fit to fight in future

The Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall a further order aimed at extending the service life of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. Following a recent appropriation of funds by the budget committee of the German Parliament, the Düsseldorf-based technology group has now booked a €27 million contract to this effect. The advanced Saphir 2.6 MK, developed by Rheinmetall Electronics, will replace existing obsolete thermal imaging aiming devices used for reconnaissance and target engagement.

A total of 260 equipment kits will be delivered in 2022 and 2023. The scope of delivery includes extra devices for stockpiling as well as related accessories for use by the troops.
Rheinmetall will be fabricating the thermal imaging aiming devices with the aid of numerous subcontractors entirely in Germany. To cite just one example, state-of-the-art components from the company AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH of Heilbronn – a Rheinmetall affiliate – will safeguard critical German defence technology expertise for the foreseeable future.

The Saphir 2.6 MK (MK: Marder configuration) was specially developed for the Marder IFV. The Bundeswehr and other armies already utilize the core technology on a large scale, meaning that it can soon be used in the Marder too. In turn, this will result in synergies with regard to procurement and operation.

Importantly, the latest Saphir 2.6 MK generation will significantly improve the observation range and round-the-clock reconnaissance quality. This has to do with the greater resolution of the detector, for example, and state-of-the-art display technology. Thanks to advanced image processing software from the Saphir family, full performance of the components is now assured under all operating conditions.

Together with integration of the MELLS multirole lightweight guided missile system and the new Marder driver’s night vision device, this innovative technology will result in substantial tactical advantages for troops deployed in harm’s way, both day and night.

German mechanized infantry units will still use the Marder for several more years. The armies of a number of other nations also continue to rely on this robust, battle-tested infantry fighting vehicle. For these users, too, the Saphir 2.6 MK is an important element in maintaining the vehicle’s combat readiness.

rheinmetall.com

SIG SAUER TANGO6T Riflescope Selected by U.S. Department of Defense for Direct View Optic (DVO)

Monday, November 9th, 2020

NEWINGTON, N.H., (November 9, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to announce the TANGO6T has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense for the Direct View Optic (DVO) in response to a solicitation to enhance squad performance with a variable powered riflescope.  Unlike older generation non-magnified or fixed-magnification optics, the TANGO6T is a 1-6X variable-magnification riflescope that enables the soldier to engage both close quarter targets and targets at extended ranges.

This award from the U.S. DoD is the third award for the SIG SAUER TANGO6T; previously selections for the TANGO6T include the Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) and the USSOCOM Squad-Variable Powered Scope (S-VPS).  The TANGO6T riflescope is currently in use with the U.S. Army Squad Designated Marksman and U.S. Military Special Forces.      

“After rigorous and stringent testing, where the best of the industry competed, we are proud to confirm the SIG SAUER TANGO6T riflescope has been selected by the U.S. Army as the Direct View Optic,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “This is a three-peat for the TANGO6T as the riflescope continues to prove it will withstand the rigors of U.S. military testing making it the choice for use with our soldiers.  The further proliferation of the riflescope into the U.S. Military’s M4A1 operating system is an exciting achievement for SIG SAUER Electro-Optics and further proof that the TANGO6T is the direction of the future.”

The TANGO6T 1-6×24 DVO riflescope will be used on M4A1 carbines and is a first focal plane ruggedized riflescope with a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) anodized aircraft grade aluminum main tube.  The riflescope features the DWLR6 reticle capable of providing range estimation and wind holds at extreme distances, the advanced HELLFIRE illumination system for fast target acquisition, a locking illumination dial, Power Selector Ring (PSR) Throw Lever, the ALPHA4 ultralight mount, and a laser-marked scope level indicator for intuitive installation.

“The TANGO6T riflescope platform has been ruggedized and battle-hardened over the course of both the SDMR and S-VPS programs,” added Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics.  “We are proud to assemble the TANGO6T here in the USA to support our warfighters with a variable powered riflescope that was developed to match the engagement requirements of today’s battlefield.”

The SIG SAUER TANGO6T 1-6x24MM riflescope is available commercially at local retailers and at sigsauer.com, in first and second plane, and varying reticles including 5.56/7.62 Horseshoe Dot, HELLFIRE MOA Milling, HELLFIRE FL-6 and the new DWLR6.   

“This award solidifies the TANGO6T as the premier riflescope of the U.S. military as it continues to exceed the highest standards for ruggedization, range, and accuracy throughout testing protocols, and in the field with our soldiers.  We are honored to partner with the U.S. Department of Defense as they continue to modernize their weapons systems and look forward to the continued proliferation of the TANGO6T amongst our fighting forces,” concluded Cohen.

All SIG SAUER TANGO6 riflescopes are designed and assembled in the USA at the state-of-the-art, ISO-certified, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics facility in Wilsonville, Oregon.