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NFM AS Sues Mehler Vario System GmbH for Design Infringement in Germany

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Oslo, Norway, July 4th 2023 – NFM AS has spent significant time and resources on developing its THOR ® load bearing vests and has developed a range of innovative products such as the modular, scalable, and transformable GRID carrier system which enjoys intellectual property protection in the EU and other jurisdictions.

Mehler Vario System GmbH has earlier this year exhibited a product titled “Grid carrier” to the market at a trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, which NFM believes to infringe its registered design rights.

To protect its valuable intellectual property, NFM has initiated legal infringement proceedings against Mehler before the Regional Court of Düsseldorf, Germany, (docket no. 14C O 29/2023), requesting a decision which prohibits Mehler from marketing and distributing the products in question throughout the European Union.

The question of whether or not Mehler’s “Grid carrier” infringes NFM’s registered design rights will be decided by the Court.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | 4 Comments »

US Special Forces Partner with Bosnian SIPA for Joint Combined Exchange Training

Tuesday, July 4th, 2023

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Forty miles southwest of Sarajevo, enemies are holed up in an underground government facility built inside a mountain during the Cold War to protect a former Yugoslav president against nuclear attack.

From a Sarajevo compound, U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to the Critical Threats Advisory Company, or CTAC, take off to raid the 70,000-square-foot protective bunker alongside Bosnia-Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency, known as SIPA, officials May 8, 2023.

Three nondescript houses disguise each entrance to the facility. Through the houses and inside the labyrinthine structure, intermittent volleys of gunfire with the enemy reverberate through tunnel corridors. Room by room, the combined force of assaulters systematically clear the protective bunker.

This raid was the culmination exercise of a six-week-long joint combined exchange training focused on close-quarters battle and small unit tactics.

“It was a time-sensitive target, so the planning cycle was condensed,” said the troop leader assigned to CTAC, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) — a highly lethal force capable of collaborating with elite special operations forces elements worldwide. “The bunker has small hallways and small rooms … I wanted to raid the bunker to see how the team would react; to see how I would command and control.”

The 100-room structure was selected as a target to test the force’s methods due to its complexity and extensive size.

Providing solutions for the most sensitive problems and succeeding is paramount, said the special support unit executive officer, a SIPA official with over thirty years of police experience. The mission’s challenging location, time constraints and finite resources presented a nightmare scenario that compelled partners to combine efforts, overcome adversity and get results.

The mission succeeded, shortfalls and gaps were identified, and both sides provided recommendations for future reference, said the special support unit executive officer. Experience and lessons learned from the CTAC are valuable resources that will align the special support unit in solving complex problems.

“I do truly believe that the systems were tested that day,” said the CTAC troop leader. “We definitely learned lessons working with a new partner force which is key in refining troop standards. It’s the Green Beret way.”

By SSG Anthony Bryant

Posted in Army, Guest Post, International, SOF, Training | 3 Comments »

Rheinmetall Mission Master CXT – Fire Support for Counter UAS Role

Sunday, July 2nd, 2023

Rheinmetall is proud to present the Mission Master CXT – Fire Support, equipped with Dillon dual M134D miniguns. This innovative and reliable countermeasure is specially designed to defeat small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It can fire an impressive 6,000 rounds per minute and defeat drone targets day and night.

With the ability to autonomously detect and track aerial and land targets, while also prioritizing safe fire engagement by the operator (man in/on the loop), this pioneering technology is set to revolutionize counter-UAS operations. What’s more, it features wolfpack capability, meaning that one operator can manage multiple unmanned ground vehicles at the same time.

Rheinmetall will display its counter-UAS solution for the very first time at DSEI in September 2023.

Posted in DSEi, Guest Post, International, UAS | 2 Comments »

Direct Action Lysander MED Waist Bag

Saturday, July 1st, 2023

Lysander MED Waist Bag provides a compact way to carry essential battlefield medical equipment. Its ergonomic shape allows it to fit below the plate carrier, a feature particularly useful when operating in tight spaces.

A zippered pocket on the front holds protective gloves while its external Velcro® panel can be used to attach a med patch. The main compartment closes with a two-way zipper and its soft Velcro lining can be easily configured with included dedicated strips for specific equipment. Another pocket at the rear of the bag will hold large flat dressings and closes with a small Velcro. Two additional pockets are sewn onto the closing flap, one for shears and the other for TCCC casualty cards.

On the sides of the bag there is attached a laser-cut MOLLE/PALS compatible system allowing attachment of additional pockets for dressings, tourniquets, etc. The MOLLE/PALS compatible system continues on the underside of the bag to assist with additional equipment like a COMBAT STRETCHER. Besides using a MOLLE/PALS compatible system at the bottom we implemented an interwoven shockcord for additional mounting possibilities.

Main features:

Easy access (two-way zipper)

Compact dimensions

Extensive configuration options

MOLLE/PALS compatible system and shockord to attach additional equipment

Tech specs:

weight: 372 g / 0.82 lb

dimensions: 28 x 14 x 14 cm / 11 x 5.5 x 5.5 in

waist: up to 126 cm / 49.6 in

directactiongear.com

Posted in International, Load Carrying, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Direct Action Lysander MED Waist Bag

Rheinmetall Supplying Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2A4 Tanks – Order Volume in the Triple-Digit Million Euro Range

Thursday, June 29th, 2023

In April 2023 the Dutch and Danish governments announced their intention to jointly acquire Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks for donation to Ukraine. The Dutch government therefore contracted with Rheinmetall to supply fourteen Leopard 2A4 MBTs, worth a figure in the lower three-digit million-euro range. The Dutch and Danish government are jointly financing the order as part of the international tank coalition to provide effective support for Ukraine.
Officials of the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany and representatives of Rheinmetall recently signed an agreement to this effect.
The first vehicle is scheduled for delivery in January 2024, with the last due to ship in the course of the year. The vehicles are upgraded Leopard 2A4 tanks acquired by Rheinmetall from the inventories of user nations.

The transaction underscores Rheinmetall’s role as an important supplier of materiel to the Ukrainian armed forces. It is just the latest in a series of actions taken by the Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise in support of Ukraine’s defensive war effort. In the meantime, Rheinmetall is the embattled country’s sole source of large-volume shipments of new medium- and large-calibre ammunition, including 20mm rounds for the Marder IFV’s automatic cannon and 105mm and 120mm tank ammunition for the main armament of the Ukrainian Army’s Leopard I and Leopard 2 MBTs. A first lot of 35mm ammunition for the Gepard antiaircraft tank will soon be ready for shipment as well.

Rheinmetall has also been instrumental in supplying the Ukrainian military with substantial numbers of combat vehicles, whether through multilateral “Ringtausch” exchange programmes with partner nations or via direct deliveries. Back in March 2023, for instance, Rheinmetall shipped twenty Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine at the behest of the German government. A second lot of twenty of these tried-and-tested vehicles is due to ship this summer.

By the end of 2023, Rheinmetall will also be supplying Ukraine with 26 brand-new military trucks and two state-of-the-art air defence systems. The support effort also encompasses SurveilSPIRE mobile reconnaissance systems with day- and night-capable cameras and autopiloted mini-drones. The Group is also furnishing Ukraine with a field hospital system consisting of containers and tents as well as a container-based mobile surgical station for initial treatment of trauma cases, both of which will be a vital source of support for the Ukrainian military in the coming months.

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

Australian Missile Corporation, VicGov Agreement Aims to support Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Workforce

Thursday, June 29th, 2023

The Australian Missile Corporation has signed an agreement with the Victorian Government, prioritising local jobs, skills and training to accelerate Australia’s new smart munitions industry.

The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to enable a “ready and able” Victorian workforce to support Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise.

The AMC is an inaugural Australian-owned GWEO Enterprise Partner appointed by the Commonwealth to work with Defence and strategic industry partners Lockheed Martin Australia and Raytheon Australia in mobilising local industry to support domestic manufacture.

The Commonwealth Government recently doubled down on its investment in the GWEO enterprise after the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) prioritised GWEO capability among its “accelerated preparedness” objectives.

The $2.5b GWEO investment – up from the original $1b – includes rapidly establishing a domestic GWEO manufacturing capability, especially for long-range guided weapons.

AMC CEO Lee Goddard said the agreement with the Victorian Government demonstrated the company’s commitment to work with government and industry to develop a sustainable sovereign guided weapons industrial base.

“The whole AMC team is delighted to enter into this MoU,” he said. “A key recommendation of the DSR is the need to fast-track the development of munitions and missile manufacturing in Australia.

“The GWEO enterprise represents a next-generation defence industry that is expected to be in the order of $100b.

“Over the past two years the AMC has connected a collaborative network of more than 350 organisations with complementary expertise.

“This agreement with the Victorian Government represents an important step in realising this important strategic initiative for Australia while growing regional jobs and skills.”

The AMC is an independently operated company within the NIOA Group and was formed to support the acceleration of the development of GWEO manufacturing capability in Australia.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Australian Missile Corporation, VicGov Agreement Aims to support Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Workforce

Rheinmetall Presents Mobile Smart Factory for Mobile Production of Spare Parts for Battle Damage Repair

Wednesday, June 28th, 2023

At an event organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA), Rheinmetall presented a new solution for the mobile production of spare parts for military vehicles.

Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, an OEM for tactical and logistic tracked and wheeled vehicles, presented the new mission support concept. The Mobile Smart Factory (MSF) delivers metal 3D printing and postprocessing capabilities and is fully integrated into Rheinmetall’s
IRIS (Integrated Rheinmetall Information System) digital ecosystem.

The MSF consists of two 20-foot mobile shipping containers, one serving as an office container and the other as a production container. The office container houses an air-conditioned workstation and storage space. A polymer printer and a handheld scanner for quality control is also part of the office container. The production container is equipped with a Metrom P7000, a 6-axis hybrid machine. This machine is not limited to wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology. With an integrated CNC milling facility, it also enables on-site finishing and postprocessing. The combined welding and CNC capability gives Battle Damage Repair personnel additional options for repairing and overhaul. This is why the MSF also lives up to its name of “Mobile Smart Factory”.

The machine can produce components with a maximum size of 700 mm in diameter and 450 mm in height. All weldable wires and polymers can be used. The metal deposition rate is up to 600 cm3/h (cubic centimetres per hour).
What makes the Mobile Smart Factory unique is its integration into the IRIS© platform. As an OEM of military vehicles, Rheinmetall understands the importance of secure data exchange and lifelong product monitoring of printed parts, including quality assurance. The cloud-enabled IRISplatform enables the fully integrated operation of the IRISwork and IRISfleet software applications with the MSF, meeting IT security standards up to NATO Restricted. IRISwork provides operators and maintenance personnel with access to technical documentation andspare parts catalogues, while IRISfleet is a fleet management tool that documents the installation of a specific printed part on a specific vehicle. IRISfleet stores all relevant information about the printed part and keeps a digital product passport to ensure system security. IRIS technology also includes access to remote support from industry, engineers, quality assurance, etc.

The collaborative multitenant IRIS platform enables the armed forces and defence industry to integrate partners into a secure network, providing rapidly deployable additive capabilities for the modern battlefield.

Posted in International, MRO, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Presents Mobile Smart Factory for Mobile Production of Spare Parts for Battle Damage Repair

Shortening the Sensor-to-Shooter Cycle: SMARTSHOOTER to Present its SMASH Hopper LRCWS Integrated with RPS-42 MHR Radar at MDM

Tuesday, June 27th, 2023

Ideal against sUAS, the joint solution has recently completed several successful trials and demonstrations

Modern Day Marine, booth 2260

[June 26, 2023]: SMARTSHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase accuracy, lethality, and situational awareness while reducing collateral damage, will participate at the Modern Day Marine event, and showcase its SMASH 2000L already deployed by the Marine Corps, and the Hopper Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Station integrated with the DRS RADA Technologies MHR radar.

The SMASH 2000L is a lightweight rifle mounted Fire Control optic that provides the user with unprecedented accuracy against ground and aerial targets. The system is currently deployed by the Marines for C-UAS operations. The Hopper is a Light weight Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (LRCWS) that uses the same Fire Control technology as the 2000L but can be mounted as a system on different manned and unmanned platforms providing pin-point accurate lethal capability from a safe stand-off distance. The DRS MHR Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR) is ground-based, multi-mission radar already used by the Marines for Counter-UAS, Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD), Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM), and Hemispheric Surveillance operational missions.

When integrated together, the SMASH Hopper LRCWS and DRS MHR radar will provide an “end-to-end” solution for defeating drones and shorten the sensor-to-shooter cycle. The RPS-42’s long-range detection and tracking capabilities allow the SMASH Hopper LRCWS to engage targets at a safe standoff distance. At the same time, the SMASH Hopper LRCWS’s high hit probability promises precise, swift, safe, and simple hard-kill elimination of the threat.

The joint solution has already completed several successful trials and demonstrations and is ideal for use by US marine corps on the MADIS system.

Michal Mor, SMARTSHOOTER CEO: “The integration of our Hopper with the RPS-42 radar provides a very effective end-to-end solution to neutralize drones swiftly, ensuring the protection of personnel and critical assets. Shortening the sensor-to-shooter cycle, this advanced solution enhances the force’s situational awareness and survivability and takes air defense to a new level “.

Deployed and combat-proven by different forces worldwide, including the US Marine Corps, SMASH is a weapon Fire Control System (FCS) equipped with an onboard computer to perform complex targeting solutions. Once the user identifies the target (independently or using the detection system guidance) and locks on it, SMASH tracks its movements and synchronizes the shot release to ensure a fast and precise hit on the target.

The SMASH Family of fire control systems uses AI, computer vision, and advanced algorithms to ensure precise hit capabilities, enhance forces’ situational awareness and lethality, and reduce collateral damage. It enables the platoon to be smart, precise, and connected.

For further information, please visit www.SMART-SHOOTER.com.

Posted in International, MDM, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Shortening the Sensor-to-Shooter Cycle: SMARTSHOOTER to Present its SMASH Hopper LRCWS Integrated with RPS-42 MHR Radar at MDM