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Rheinmetall and Thales Are Teaming in Germany within the Field of Unguided and Guided Rockets

Thursday, January 16th, 2020

• This agreement aims to support together the future developments, qualification and production of the 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems for the German market

• Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH will lead the team towards the German customers

• Together, the two international groups will propose complementary capabilities for the Tiger MK3 program

Rheinmetall and Thales have signed an agreement to support together the future developments, qualification and production of the 70mm (2.75”) guided and unguided rockets solutions for helicopters as well as potentially other new platforms in Germany.

The Thales 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems are currently operated on UHT Tiger and under certification on Airbus Helicopters H145M. As part of the agreement, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH will lead the team towards the German customers and use its wide experience as main supplier to the Bundeswehr to ensure the future requirements are met.

The agreement deepens the existing relationship between Thales and Rheinmetall in this field as other members of Rheinmetall Group are working in collaborative integration programs with Thales like on Rheinmetall Canada’s Mission Master UGV.

Together, Rheinmetall and Thales propose important complementary capabilities, especially in the frame of the Tiger MK3 program (guided rocket in “Lock-On-Before-Launch” mode, additional communication between the rocket system and the platform, identification, remote control…)

Torsten Böhm, Senior Vice President ‘Business Development and Sales’, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition:

“The multi-decade experience and quality of the Thales 70mm rockets fit perfectly to Rheinmetall’s activities to provide the users in Germany with the best products. The Thales portfolio in this domain is complementary to the current Rheinmetall technical portfolio. This gives the opportunity to combine forces, but more important gives the user direct access to products, meeting the highest requirements on effectiveness, accuracy and safety. And that is our mission.”

Stéphane Bianchi, director of the Airborne Armament business segment, Thales:

“This strengthening of the collaboration in Germany between Thales and Rheinmetall is good news for both groups. We will provide our expertise with the 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems, which equip already many platforms in the world, and Rheinmetall the knowledge of the German customer. This is a true win-win, at a time when Airbus Helicopters is developing its Tiger MK3 version.”

www.rheinmetall.com

Posted in Advertiser, International, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »

Blackhawk Secures Contract to Equip French Army with T-Series L3D Holsters

Tuesday, January 14th, 2020

Level 3 Holsters to be Furnished with Glock 17 Gen5 Pistols

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – January 14, 2020 – Blackhawk, a leader in the law enforcement and military equipment realm for over 20 years, announced today that it will participate in a contract for the French Armament General Directorate to equip newly furnished Glock G17 Gen5 pistols with new T-Series L3D holsters. The French Army recently selected the G17 Gen5 and multiple accessories to be used as their standard handgun and the new equipment, including the Blackhawk T-Series holster, will be distributed to the French troops within the first months of 2020.

As part of the contract, over 75,000 pistols, holsters and related accessories will be provided to the French Army over the next three years. The tender, launched in early March 2019, was open to multiple possible candidates who were asked to submit their entries for review. As part of the try-outs conducted by the French DGA, all equipment was subjected to a series of stringent tests to asses both the reliability and user-friendliness of the offered pistols and their accessories.

“The recent selection by the French Army to pair newly acquired Glock G17 Gen5 pistols with our T-Series L3D holsters is a tremendous validation of the innovation and durability featured in our new duty-rated holsters,” said Josh Waldron, President of Blackhawk. “We are extremely proud and honored to have been chosen by Glock to serve as the holster supplier for this tender. The French Army will be receiving our newest holster system that has been specifically engineered for compatibility with multiple platforms, making it one of the most versatile options available for military and police agencies.”

Developed with a low-friction, dual-density internal material, the T-Series holsters allows for a smooth and effortless draw, while its external design features a proprietary glass reinforced nylon and soft touch polymer lines for the upmost durability. Adding to its versatility, the T-Series L3D holster is standard with three different mounting options. User can select either the S.T.R.I.K.E®/MOLLE Platform, T-Series Duty Belt Loop or Blackhawk drop leg platforms, all featuring the patented Blackhawk Quick Disconnect System. This unique and one-of-a-kind system allows the holster to be quickly and conveniently moved from one platform to another with no tools required.

Designed to follow Blackhawk’s Master Grip Principle, all T-Series holsters have been specifically developed to allow the user’s hand to land naturally where it should in order to deploy the sidearm. This efficient movement pairs with a sound-dampening, low-friction, dual-density internal material that translates into a smooth, quiet draw.

For more information on the new L3D holster from Blackhawk or to view the complete line of T-Series holsters be sure to visit www.blackhawk.com.

Posted in Contracts, Holsters, International, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Forge Works / LMSGear OD & Thin Blue Line Blades

Monday, January 13th, 2020

Now available, from LMS Gear are the OD Green G10 with orange pins and Thin Blue Line versions of their Blade made in conjunction with Forge Works.

Check them out at lmsgear.net.

Posted in International, Knives | No Comments »

Netherlands Fractal Pattern In Action

Saturday, January 11th, 2020

The Dutch Army recently shared photos of Soldiers deployed to Mazar-e-Sharif on Resolute Support Mission.

“The men from the Delta platoon, consisting of soldiers of 42 bataljon Limburgse Jagers, recently ran a social patrol in a town in the province of Balkh. They also practiced shooting with the Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL), because they will soon be providing base defense on a part of an Afghan base in the north.”

What’s interesting is the combination of MultiCam uniforms and armor in the new NFP.

Posted in Camo, International | 3 Comments »

Rheinmetall Modernizing a Further 21 Bergepanzer 3 Armoured Recovery Vehicles for the Dutch Army, Bringing Them Up to the Latest Standard

Wednesday, January 8th, 2020

The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have awarded Rheinmetall an order for the second phase of the modernization of their fleet of Bergepanzer 3-Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles. The operational effectiveness of twenty-one vehicles will be upgraded. The order is worth a mid-double-digit euro million figure. Now launched, Phase 2 follows a first order awarded in April 2019, when the Royal Netherlands Army contracted with Rheinmetall for the modernization of four Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo ARVs.

Starting immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul another 21 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs of the Royal Netherlands Army, bringing them up to the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles – developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis – through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.

Modernization work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Kassel, Germany as well as in Ede in the Netherlands. It will include a complete overhaul of the individual armoured recovery vehicles and a new digital operating concept; the installation of advanced visualization technology; mission packages featuring ballistic and mine protection; and new battlefield recovery equipment together as well as a universal transport platform. Also included in the contract are technical documentation, training and other services.

This service life extension will give the Dutch armed forces a reconfigured state-of-the-art ARV with significant growth potential. New force protection features both on and in the vehicle will keep the crew extremely safe from modern battlefield threats. Cutting-edge visualization systems, digital operating elements and command systems will support the crew while carrying out their tasks. Furthermore, new battlefield recovery equipment will boost the vehicle’s tactical effectiveness. It will be transferred to the rear section of the vehicle. This will let the crew hook up to a damaged Royal Dutch Army vehicle such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge-laying tank, Kodiak combat engineering vehicle or the Leopard 2 main battle tank without having to leave the safety of the fighting compartment, before towing it from the battlefield at high speed in forward gear. In addition, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARV will feature a flexible-use universal transport platform mounted on the rear section of the vehicle. To cite just one example, this can be used for carrying equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new equipment has already demonstrated its effectiveness during deployed operations.

This contract confirms the emergence of a new standard for modern armoured recovery vehicles. As recently as December 2018, the Bundeswehr contracted with Rheinmetall to modernize its fleet of Bergepanzer 3 vehicles, ensuring they remain a match for current and future operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in service with the armed forces of NATO member Canada as well as Sweden.

Already underway, the service life extension of the Royal Netherlands Army’s armoured recovery vehicles underscores once again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise when it comes to the globe-spanning Leopard 2 family. This expertise extends from maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced armament concepts, and from the production and technical knowledge of the system’s original equipment manufacturer right through to comprehensive technical and logistic support for entire vehicle fleets – including service support during deployed operations. The portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group for mobility and security also includes training and simulation solutions for Leopard 2 crews.

www.rheinmetall.com

Posted in International, Mobility, MRO, Press Release | No Comments »

French Army Announces Adoption of FN SCAR-H PR & Glock 17 Pistol

Tuesday, January 7th, 2020

The French Ministère des Armées has announced the €100 million procurement of 2,620 FNH SCAR-H PR, known within the French Army as the Fusils de précision semi-automatiques (FPSA).

The FPSA system is the product of OIP Sensor Systems and Telefunken-Racoms, associated with weapon producer FN Herstal and the company MEN. In addition to the rifle and associated ammunition (including armor piercing), they will be fielded within suppressors Asia well as I2 and IR optics.

Deliveries begin in 2020 and replace the FR-F2 in service since the 1980s. The new rifle is 7.62mm NATO and intended to engage targets out to 800m and is being fielded as part of an ongoing initiative aimed at increasing the capability of the individual Soldier.

The rifle is intended for use by Snipers who are considered the “Eyes of the section chief”, conducting long-range observation, intelligence and target neutralization missions.

Additionally, they have announced that they have awarded a contract worth € 44 million for a new semi auto pistol to Glock. It is said to be a G17 variant but the Army’s announcement contained no details as to which one. Glock is providing the pistols with some form of “night-time” sights. Sellier and Bellot is providing ammunition and UTM training kits.

By 2022, the contract of 74,596 will be fulfilled. They replace the PA MAC 50 (manufactured by Châtellerault) which date from the 1950s, and the PAMAS G1 (from the arms factories of Saint-Etienne). According to the Ministry of the Army, this is a joint service buy with 80% of weapons for the army, 10% for the air force and 8% for the navy.